What had Chargers’ Justin Herbert smiling despite Rashawn Slater injury scare

The Los Angeles Chargers received an early scare at training camp when left tackle Rashawn Slater briefly exited practice, but quarterback Justin Herbert appeared encouraged by what he saw afterward.

Following practice, Herbert smiled when asked about Slater’s status after the veteran offensive lineman left the field during team drills.

ESPN’s Kris Rhim shared Herbert’s reaction on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“A smiling Justin Herbert on Rashawn Slater:

‘He said he wanted to be out there, so I think that’s okay.’”

The update offered some optimism after Slater was forced to visit the medical tent during practice. According to Daniel Popper of The Athletic, the 27-year-old was accompanied by a trainer after participating in the first period of 11-on-11 drills.

“Rashawn Slater just went to the medical tent with a trainer after first period of 11-on-11,” Popper reported.

Rashawn Slater’s health remains key to Chargers’ 2026 outlook

While the exact nature of the injury remains unknown, Popper later provided a more encouraging update.

“Slater left the medical tent, went through some sets and is now watching individual work while holding his helmet,” Popper wrote. “Slater was out of team drills. Trey Pipkins and Branson Taylor split reps at LT in front of Justin Herbert.”

Any injury involving Slater carries added significance after he missed the entire 2025 season with a torn patellar tendon in his left leg suffered during training camp. The Chargers have been counting on his return to stabilize Herbert’s blind side entering the 2026 campaign.

Los Angeles finished the 2025 season with an 11-6 record before falling 16-3 to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots in the Wild Card round. Keeping Slater healthy is expected to be one of the team’s top priorities as it looks to build on that playoff appearance.

Although the Chargers have not released additional details regarding Slater’s condition, Herbert’s comments and Slater’s return to the practice field after visiting the medical tent offered an encouraging sign as training camp continues.

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