Chargers LT Rashawn Slater Suffers Biceps Injury, Expected to Miss Remainder of 2022 Season
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After losing left tackle Rashawn Slater following a left bicep injury against the Jaguars, the Chargers have been faced with the reality of his status.
Slater, an All-Pro as a rookie last year, is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022 season, coach Brandon Staley told reporters Monday via Zoom.
Slater underwent tests on Monday that showed he suffered a ruptured biceps tendon in the Chargers' 38-10 Week 3 loss.
“He is one of the best tackles in the game," Staley said of Slater. "It’s going to be a tough loss for us, but we’re going to make sure, over the next couple of days, that we put good contingencies in place, that we put a group out there that can really play together, give us a chance to be the offense that we’re capable of being. We’re going to have to get to work over the next couple of days in order to get that done.”
After Slater was sidelined, the team turned to Storm Norton to step in at left tackle. Norton, who made 15 starts last year for the Chargers at right tackle, was overmatched by the Jaguars' pass rush, struggling to keep the pocket clean for Justin Herbert.
Norton allowed eight quarterback pressures across 23 snaps, according to the metrics of Pro Football Focus.
Staley said this week they'll configure what the best plan of attack is across their offensive line. They have a few options they can look to go with. Norton could become the new left tackle, sixth-round pick Jamaree Salyer could slot in after taking most of his snaps throughout training camp at left guard, or they can look externally to presumably bring in a new player.
Staley said they want to approach this with changing the fewest moving parts possible, so it sounds like Trey Pipkins will in fact remain at right tackle.
"What you can bank on is us putting the five guys out there that we feel like give us the best offensive line to be successful," Staley said. "That’s going to be our approach over the next couple of days, finding that right combination of five.”
The loss of Slater is a sizable one as he's already become one of the top left tackles in the NFL in just his second season. The Chargers offensive line is also dealing with an injury to center Corey Linsley, who missed Sunday's game with a knee issue.
Linsley is expected to return to practice this week as the team prepares for their Week 4 game against the Texans.
More from Charger Report
- 5 Takeaways From Chargers' 38-10 Week 3 Loss to Jaguars
- As Injuries Continue to Mount, Chargers Overmatched by Jaguars in 38-10 Loss
- Live In-Game Updates: Chargers vs. Jaguars Week 3
- Pregame Report: Chargers vs. Jaguars Week 3
- Chargers vs. Jaguars Game Day Betting Odds: Week 3 Point Spread, Moneyline, Over/Under
Nick Cothrel is the publisher of Charger Report. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickCothrel for more Chargers coverage.
