The Los Angeles Chargers have not had the sort of playoff success they know they should have with star quarterback Justin Herbert in his prime. According to head coach Jim Harbaugh, the problem has been the players surrounding Herbert.
“This is the truth, Justin Herbert’s biggest weakness is all of those that he’s counting on on offense — coaches, offensive line, playmakers, receivers, running backs — to get up to his level,” the coach said.
“I wake up every day to try to get to his level. . . . I see him at the level, just the highest level as a quarterback. First five seasons, nobody’s thrown for more yards in the history of the NFL, and everything he does is, you just don’t change a thing, but whatever it is, conditioning, it’s too easy. Everything we do, we try to pull him back, because you never have to talk him into doing anything. He’s been in here every day.”
Unfortunately, arguably the most important of those surrounding players is now out for the year, per one league insider.
“BREAKING: #Chargers All-Pro LT Rashawn Slater suffered a serious patella injury in practice today that is believed to be season-ending, per multiple sources. Slater just recently signed a well-deserved 4-year, $114M extension. Absolutely awful,” Jordan Schultz reported on Thursday.
Fans reacted to the news on social media.
“He should be good for next season but man a Chargers O-Line that was a solid unit, now has a MASSIVE hole,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“Terrible for the big guy. If he were on the Cowboys, the owner would be calling him out,” someone else added.
“Feel so bad for Slater, but man that extension could not have come at a better time. Wishing him a speedy recovery,” added one fan.
Hopefully, Slater comes back next season stronger than ever.