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Chargers already battling O-line issues with ACL injury to Tyler Biadasz
Los Angeles Chargers center Tyler Biadasz (63) during minicamp. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Chargers already battling O-line issues with ACL injury to Tyler Biadasz

By Clark Dalton  |  Last updated Aug 19, 2026 2:07 PM ET
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Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert may be running for his life again this upcoming season.

Chargers center Tyler Biadasz injured his knee during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday. ESPN NFL insiders Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport provided more on Wednesday. It wasn't an update L.A. fans wanted to hear.

Chargers receive bad Tyler Biadasz news 

Per Rapoport and Schefter, Biadasz is out indefinitely after suffering damage to his ACL and other injuries to his left knee on Tuesday. He's seeing other doctors to provide more clarity on the injury.

The Chargers hope it's not a season-ending injury for the seventh-year center. L.A. signed the one-time Pro Bowler to a three-year, $30M deal in free agency, hoping he would provide improved pass blocking for Herbert (54 sacks taken in 2025, No. 3 in NFL).

Many were confident he would. Yardbarker deemed Biadasz the Chargers' best free-agency signing after he posted solid numbers with the Washington Commanders in 2025. 

Sports Info Solutions credited Biadasz with just three sacks allowed on 522 pass-block snaps in 16 games for Washington. He has remained a consistent pass protector throughout his career, allowing no more than four sacks in his first six seasons with the Commanders and Dallas Cowboys. 

The Chargers prepared for this scenario, selecting Florida Gators center Jake Slaughter with pick No. 63 in the 2026 NFL Draft and signing Fresno State Bulldogs center Jacob Spomer as an undrafted free agent. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah complimented both, noting each suits the team's system.

The Chargers, though, would much rather have the veteran start their regular-season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 13 (CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET). Slaughter still may not be ready to become a quality starter immediately. SIS ranked him as the No. 4 center in the 2026 draft class and gave him a 6.4 grade (limited starter or multi-position backup). 

"While Slaughter's clunky lower body, lack of natural popping power, and inability to stay low due to his length will cause hesitation on his athletic profile, some teams will form a line for his fast processing experience and impenetrable pass pro mindset," wrote SIS's Colin Bartolin in his scouting report.  

O-line injuries derailed the Chargers last season; they started 3-0 but finished 11-6 and lost 16-3 to the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card round. Tackles Rashawn Slater (knee) and Joe Alt (ankle) suffered season-ending injuries. Slater tore his patellar tendon in training camp after signing a four-year, $113M extension, while Alt injured his ankle in Week 4 and re-injured it in Week 9, landing on injured reserve.  

The injury-riddled unit may once again disrupt a big season for seventh-year passer Herbert, who's aiming to win his first playoff game. 

Clark Dalton
X Muck Rack

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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