Should the Chargers be concerned about Rashawn Slater’s return from a serious injury? After investing big money, his health is critical to protecting Justin Herbert—but questions remain about whether he’ll return to elite form.
The Los Angeles Chargers are putting a lot of faith—and a lot of money—into Rashawn Slater heading into the 2026 season. After making him one of the highest-paid tackles in football, the expectation is simple: protect Justin Herbert at all costs. But coming off a devastating injury, it’s fair to ask the question—should there be real concern about Slater’s health?
Let’s start with the facts. Slater missed the entire 2025 season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in his knee, one of the more serious injuries an offensive lineman can endure. Unlike an ACL tear, which has become relatively routine in terms of recovery, a patellar tendon rupture is a different beast. It directly impacts explosiveness, leverage and overall stability—three things that are absolutely critical for a left tackle.
And history doesn’t exactly ease the concern. This isn’t the first major injury Slater has dealt with. He also lost most of the 2022 season due to a torn biceps. For a player who plays one of the most physically demanding positions in football, multiple significant injuries early in his career start to raise durability questions.
Now, to be fair, the early updates have been encouraging. Slater has reportedly been ahead of schedule in his rehab, already running at full speed and exceeding initial recovery goals. That’s exactly what the Chargers want to hear, especially after what the offensive line looked like without him last season. His absence exposed just how important he is—not just as a player, but as the anchor of the entire unit.
Still, “ahead of schedule” in April doesn’t always translate to dominance in September.
The bigger concern isn’t whether Slater will return—it’s whether he’ll return as the same player. Offensive tackles rely heavily on lower-body strength and balance. Any slight decline in mobility or power can be the difference between locking down an elite pass rusher and giving up pressure. And when you’re protecting a franchise quarterback like Herbert, those margins matter.
There’s also the financial angle. The Chargers gave Slater a massive extension just before his injury, committing to him as a long-term cornerstone. That kind of investment raises the stakes. If he’s even 85–90% of what he once was, it could still be good—but not necessarily elite. And the Chargers need elite.
At the same time, it’s not all doom and gloom. Slater is still just 27 years old, in the prime of his career and by all accounts one of the hardest workers on the team. If anyone is going to beat the odds of a tough recovery, it’s a player with his talent and mindset. Plus, with a full year dedicated to rehab, there’s at least a realistic path to a strong comeback.
So, should the Chargers worry?
The honest answer is yes—but not panic.
There’s legitimate risk here. A torn patellar tendon is no small thing, and expecting Slater to immediately return to All-Pro form might be asking too much. But there are also positive signs, and if his recovery continues trending upward, the Chargers could once again have one of the best left tackles in the league protecting their most valuable asset.
For now, it’s a wait-and-see situation. And for a team with championship aspirations, that uncertainty is hard to ignore.