Chargers Get Amazing Rashawn Slater Injury Update in Training Camp

When you hear the words "training camp" and "injury news" anywhere near each other, it's usually going to be bad. That feels like it's especially true when "Los Angeles Chargers" is part of the sentence too.

In a pleasant turn of events, however, Chargers fans actually got some outstanding injury news in July this time though. The team had its first full-pad practice of the Jim Harbaugh era, and a key player made his triumphant return from injury.

Rashawn Slater suited up for Chargers practice on Monday after being sidelined with an injury since making an early exit on Saturday. Slater was one of four players who were forced to leave that practice early, and the team didn't disclose what the issue was.

Whatever the issue, that's clearly behind us. The star left tackle is back on the field and ready to get some all-important reps as the team has their most intense practice yet. You know Jim Harbaugh isn't going to have anyone taking it easy with full pads on, and having Slater back for a high-impact practice like this likely means that there are no concerns about his health.

This is especially relieving since Chargers fans saw how ugly things could get with Slater on the bench when he missed most of the 2022 season with a ruptured biceps tendon. He was terrific in his return in 2023 though, earning an overall grade of 76.6 from PFF.

The Chargers have picked up Slater's fifth-year option already, keeping him under contract through 2025, and he'll be a crucial anchor of this offense line.

Harbaugh is clearly emphasizing winning in the trenches, having drafted Joe Alt to pair as a bookend across from Slater on the offensive front, and going into this season without the anchor of the line would have been crushing.

This bit of good news won't break Chargers fans' superstitions around training camp injuries, but it's certainly welcome news all the same.

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