Chargers season goes from bad to worse with latest injury blow to Justin Herberts protection

It’s already been an atrocious season for the Chargers only four weeks into the season.The team has kicked off the year with four straight losses and it doesn’t look like things are close to improving.Now, injuries have begun to take its toll on the slumping Chargers as Pro Bowl offensive tackle Rashawn Slater is believed to have suffered a high-ankle sprain.

Based on initial exams, Slater is expected to miss several weeks but will confirm the timeline to return with an MRI Monday.This marks the second consecutive season that Slater is sidelined by a major injury.

In 2025, Slater missed the entire year after he suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his left knee during training camp.The 27-year-old can’t seem to stay on the field as he also missed 14 games in 2022.

Though Slater has impressed at left tackle, his biggest issue is staying healthy.While Slater’s ankle injury isn’t season-ending, it’s certainly not ideal for a team that is still searching for its first win of the season.But the Chargers’ season only gets harder as their next three games are against the Broncos, Chiefs and Rams.

The Chargers likely have to make a drastic change now that October has arrived.Head coach Jim Harbaugh stated that offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s job is secure, but the Chargers will have undergo some sort of transformation before the season absolutely implodes....