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Chargers Dealt Major Blow as $30 Million Center Ruled Out for Season
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- Chargers Dealt Major Blow as $30 Million Center Ruled Out for Season
Tyler Biadasz will miss the entire NFL season Getty
The Los Angeles Chargers have officially lost a key piece of their offensive line for the 2026 NFL season. Center Tyler Biadasz has been placed on Reserve/Injured, confirming that the major offseason addition will not return this year.
Biadasz signed a three-year, $30 million contract this offseason to solidify the center position in front of quarterback Justin Herbert . His absence now forces the Chargers to rely on rookie Jake Slaughter, who has taken over center reps since Biadasz suffered his knee injury in joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers .
Tyler Biadasz Ruled Out for 2026 Season
NFL insider Ari Meirov reported on X that "C Tyler Biadasz will miss the entire 2026 NFL season. Biadasz was a major FA signing this offseason, getting a 3-year, $30M deal to solidify the center position in front of Justin Herbert in Mike McDaniel's offense.
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The move comes after he suffered a significant knee injury during the team's joint practice with the 49ers.
Biadasz was carted off after Kayode Awosika threw his man down into Biadasz's lower body. He was unable to continue and underwent further medical evaluations after the initial injury.
Earlier updates indicated that Biadasz had suffered ACL damage and was seeking additional opinions regarding the injury. The Chargers had not immediately confirmed whether he would miss the entire season.
That uncertainty has now ended.
Biadasz was one of the Chargers' biggest offseason additions. The three-year, $30 million agreement was designed to strengthen the center position and provide greater stability in front of Herbert.
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The Chargers' offensive line already faced questions after struggling during portions of training camp and the preseason. Losing Biadasz removes an experienced player from the middle of the unit just before the regular season.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh previously described the situation as "not promising," while the team continued preparing for the possibility that Biadasz would be unavailable.
Jake Slaughter Takes Over at Center
With Biadasz out, the Chargers have turned to rookie Jake Slaughter.
Slaughter had been splitting his time between center and left guard during training camp. His move to the center now becomes more important as the Chargers prepare for the regular season.
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Slaughter has looked promising in his reps at center, according to the provided information. At Florida last season, he allowed four pressures and one sack on 422 pass-blocking snaps, per Pro Football Focus.
The rookie also brings the athleticism and physicality the Chargers are seeking in their blocking scheme. However, he had spent much of camp competing at multiple positions rather than working exclusively with the starting offensive line.
That creates a new challenge for the Chargers as they look to establish continuity around Herbert.
The team has also been dealing with broader concerns on the interior of the offensive line. After the Chargers' preseason matchup against the 49ers, the unit struggled in both pass protection and run blocking.
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ESPN's Kris Rhim described Saturday's practice as "one of the worst days for the offense," adding, "Interior offensive line struggled, and the passing offense wasn't great."
Chargers Add Gary Jennings
The Chargers made a corresponding roster move by signing wide receiver Gary Jennings.
Jennings entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He later spent time with the Miami Dolphins , Baltimore Ravens , Buffalo Bills , Indianapolis Colts , Las Vegas Raiders , Kansas City Chiefs , and Carolina Panthers .
The West Virginia product finished his college career with 168 receptions for 2,294 yards and 17 touchdowns. He will wear No. 87 for the Chargers.
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Meanwhile, the offensive line will continue adjusting around Slaughter.
There is some positive news with left tackle Rashawn Slater returning to practice. Slater missed all of last season after tearing his patellar tendon and had recently been sidelined again because of an issue with the same knee.
Slater's return gives the Chargers another important piece to work with as they rebuild the unit. But Biadasz's season-ending injury leaves a major hole at center heading into 2026.
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