Devastating Injury for Los Angeles Chargers' Left Tackle Rashawn Slater

Rashawn Slater is an **American professional football offensive tackle** for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League.[1] Born March 26, 1999, the 6'4", 315-pound lineman has established himself as one of the league's premier pass protectors since entering the NFL.[1][5] Slater played college football at Northwestern University, where he demonstrated exceptional versatility and technique across three seasons.[1] As a true freshman in 2017, he started all 12 games at right tackle and earned recognition as the top freshman offensive lineman in the nation by Pro Football Focus.[1][4] He was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team.[4] In his sophomore year, he started all 14 games at right tackle and received third-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches.[1][4] As a junior in 2019, Slater moved to left tackle and started 11 games while allowing zero sacks, demonstrating elite pass protection skills.[1][4] He opted out of the 2020 season before entering the 2021 NFL Draft.[3] The Los Angeles Chargers selected Slater with the 13th overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.[1] He immediately made an impact as a rookie, starting at left tackle and earning Pro Bowl selection and All-Rookie Team honors.[1] Despite a biceps tendon injury that ended his 2022 season, Slater returned to start all 17 games in 2023 and 15 games in 2024.[1] In July 2025, Slater signed a significant four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers, securing his future through the 2029 season.[1] However, his 2025 season ended prematurely when he suffered a torn patellar tendon during practice in August 2025, resulting in him missing the entire season.[1] Slater currently remains under contract with the Chargers as a cornerstone piece of their offensive line.

**Bryan Bulaga** is an American former professional football player who played as an offensive tackle in the National Football League.[1] Born on March 21, 1989, in Crystal Lake, Illinois, Bulaga developed his athletic skills through a versatile high school career where he played offensive tackle, tight end, defensive end, and linebacker, recording 261 career tackles with 46 tackles for loss and 31 sacks.[2][3] Bulaga played college football at the University of Iowa for four seasons under head coach Kirk Ferentz. During his junior year in 2009, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, demonstrating his elite performance at the collegiate level.[4] In 2010, he declared for the NFL Draft and was selected by the Green Bay Packers as the 23rd overall pick in the first round.[1] His professional career began impressively with the Packers. He started every game from week five onward during his rookie season and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team. At 21 years and 322 days old, Bulaga became the youngest player to start in a Super Bowl, helping the Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31–25 in Super Bowl XLV.[1] In 2014, he had one of his finest seasons, starting and playing in 15 of 16 games despite an early-season injury and was instrumental in the offensive line allowing just 30 sacks, the fewest since 2007.[1] After a decade with Green Bay, Bulaga signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on March 30, 2020.[1] However, his tenure was hampered by injuries. He started 10 games in 2020 while missing six with a back injury, and in September 2021, he was placed on injured reserve with back and groin injuries.[1] The Chargers released him on March 15, 2022.[1] Bulaga retired from professional football on November 17, 2023.[1]

Justin Herbert is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL), widely recognized for his strong arm, athleticism, and academic achievements[1][5]. Born March 10, 1998, in Eugene, Oregon, Herbert attended Sheldon High School before staying in his hometown to play college football at the University of Oregon[2]. He became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Oregon since 1983 and quickly established himself as a program standout, setting records for the fastest to reach 4,000 career passing yards and finishing his college career second in Oregon history in both touchdown passes (95) and passing yards (10,541)[2][6]. Herbert led the Ducks to a 29-13 record over 42 starts, including a Pac-12 Championship in 2019 and a Rose Bowl MVP honor in 2020[1]. His academic excellence was equally notable, as he earned a degree in general science, was a three-time Academic First-Team All-American, and won the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy as the nation’s top scholar-athlete in 2019[2][6]. Herbert was selected sixth overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2020 NFL Draft[1][5]. He made an immediate impact in the NFL, setting records for the most passing yards, touchdown passes, and completions by a quarterback in his first two seasons[6]. As of the 2025 season, Herbert has started 62 NFL games, amassing over 17,000 passing yards and 114 touchdown passes, with a career passer rating above 95[3]. His combination of size (6’6”, 236 lbs), arm talent, and mobility has made him one of the league’s most dynamic young quarterbacks[3][4]. Herbert remains central to the Chargers’ ambitions as they transition under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, who has publicly praised Herbert’s talent and leadership[4]. Recent seasons have seen Herbert continue to post strong statistical performances, though the team has faced challenges with consistency and injuries, including a 2024 finger fracture that temporarily sidelined him[3][4]. Despite these setbacks, Herbert is regarded as a franchise cornerstone and a key figure in the Chargers’ pursuit of postseason success. His blend of on-field production and off-field intellect ensures he remains one of the NFL’s most closely watched players as he enters his prime[3][4][5].