Rashawn Slater: Everything you need to know

Slater (kneecap) said Wednesday that he should be cleared for training camp, Alex Insdorf of BoltBeat.com reports. Slater is closer to returning from the knee injury that forced him to miss the entirety of the 2025 campaign. Once healthy, the 27-year-old should resume his role as the team's starting left tackle for the upcoming campaign.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday that Slater (kneecap) is expected to return for the start of training camp, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports. The 2021 first-round pick from Northwestern was sidelined for all of last season after sustaining a knee injury in early August. While Slater has yet to return to action, it's an encouraging sign that he's expected to be back for the beginning of training camp in late July. Once fully healthy, Slater will return as the Chargers' top left tackle.

The Chargers placed Slater (knee) on injured reserve Saturday. Slater will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured patella tendon that he suffered during Thursday's practice, and he will miss the entire 2025 season as a result. He signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension with the Chargers in late July, and he will shift his focus towards being fully healthy for the 2026 campaign. With Slater sidelined, Joe Alt will move over to left tackle while Trey Pipkins set to serve at right tackle.