The Los Angeles Chargers placed starting center Tyler Biadasz on injured reserve on Sunday, confirming he will miss the entire 2025 season due to a left knee ACL injury sustained during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers.
Jake Slaughter, a second-year rookie, has been named Biadasz’s replacement at center. Slaughter, who previously competed for the starting left guard position, will transition back to center—a role he played during his college career at Florida and in preseason drills.
Immediate Impact and Roster Adjustments
Biadasz, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Chargers in March, suffered the injury during an 11-on-11 drill when 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell onto his leg. Biadasz was carted off the field and later underwent an MRI, which confirmed the ACL damage.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced Slaughter as the starter, emphasizing the team’s depth at the offensive line. "Jake Slaughter is now our starting center," Harbaugh said. "The center position, right guard, right tackle, left tackle … those four [are set]."
Broader Offensive Line Concerns
The Chargers enter the season with a depleted offensive line, following multiple season-ending injuries in 2024. Left tackle Rashawn Slater tore his patellar tendon in training camp last year, while right tackle Joe Alt suffered an ankle injury in Week 4, ending his season. Alt has since been moved from right tackle to left tackle to fill Slater’s void.
With Biadasz now sidelined, the Chargers’ interior offensive line faces further uncertainty. Slaughter, who had taken snaps at center in training camp and preseason, will step into the role. The team has not yet named a replacement for Biadasz at right guard, though Harbaugh indicated that multiple players remain in contention for the position.
Long-Term Implications
Biadasz’s absence marks the second straight season the Chargers have lost a key offensive lineman to injury before the regular season. His $30 million contract, originally intended to bolster the team’s interior line, now carries significant risk. The Chargers have not yet announced a timeline for Biadasz’s potential return, though ACL injuries typically require 9-12 months of recovery before a player can resume full football activities.
The Chargers’ offensive line, once considered a strength, now faces a critical test in the early weeks of the season. Slaughter’s ability to step into the starting role will be closely monitored, as the team looks to avoid another early-season setback.