Rashawn Slater Is On IR Again, and Chargers Fans Are Probably Sick To Their Stomach

The Los Angeles Chargers delivered a gut punch this Friday, announcing that star left tackle Rashawn Slater underwent successful ankle surgery and is now officially on injured reserve. This is a huge hit for their offensive line and another brutal chapter in what’s become a cursed start to a promising career.

The Latest Injury and a Glimmer of Hope?

Slater’s latest setback is a high-ankle sprain that required a tightrope procedure, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The good news, if you can call it that, is a tightrope procedure is supposed to accelerate his return. But let’s be real, a player of Slater’s caliber going down is never good news. He’s their rock at left tackle, and losing him mid-season for any length of time is going to sting.

A Career Plagued By Unlucky Breaks

Remember when Slater was the No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 draft? Everyone, including Chargers fans, was hyped! But man, this guy just can’t catch a break. This isn’t his first dance with the IR. He missed all of last season after tearing a patellar tendon in training camp, which is absolutely soul-crushing. Before that, he was sidelined for much of the 2022 season with a torn biceps. This latest ankle issue means it’s now his third season significantly impacted by injury. That’s a brutal run for anyone, let alone a guy who’s supposed to anchor your offensive line for years.

What’s Next For The Chargers’ O-Line

So, what now for the Chargers? With Slater on injured reserve, they’re going to have to shuffle things up. The fact that the tightrope procedure “should accelerate his return” is the only thing offering any kind of silver lining here. But for now, they’re down their top left tackle, and everyone’s just got to hold their breath and hope he can get back on the field sooner rather than later. This season’s already got its ups and downs, and losing a key piece like Slater is a tough pill to swallow.

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Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.