LOS ANGELES - The Chargers were blindsided in the truest sense.

Eleven days after signing a contract extension that made him the NFL's highest-paid offensive lineman in history, Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater went down in training camp with a knee injury that ended his 2025 season.

It was the latest crushing blow to a franchise with a withering track record of losing key players at the most inopportune times.

"It's like a gut punch to the solar plexus," coach Jim Harbaugh said in the aftermath of the July 27 injury. "Takes the wind out of you."

This is where coaching and creativity kick in. It's musical chairs along the offensive line as the Chargers scramble to protect the blind side of franchise quarterback Justin Herbert without handcuffing their offense by committing too many

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