Good morning, Chargers fans!
As of this morning, Rashawn Slater has missed six consecutive practices for the Chargers. The streak started with a veteran’s rest day, but has since turned into five more absences. After four practices missed, Jim Harbaugh finally said that this was all part of Slater’s rehab plan to return from his patellar tendon injury.
Slater later confirmed the same thing, and both assured the media that there was nothing to worry about.
But color me skeptical. If you’ve been a serious watcher of the NFL for years and years, you can usually tell when things are “going as planned.” A star player coming back from a season-ending injury, seemingly being a full participant in practice in camp, then missing six practices is NOT the usual way these things go if there hasn’t been a setback.
So what is the temperature of the room with this situation? Do you think we’re inching towards DEFCON 5? Is this something we should not really worry about until he misses game time?
I don’t think there’s a wrong answer here. It’s all subjective, but we’d love to hear all of your thoughts below on the subject!
And now for today’s links.
Chargers News:
Notes and highlights from the Chargers’ 14th training camp practice (Chargers.com)
This is where Genesis Smith is progressing the most through his first training camp (Chargers.com)
TeRah Edwards made a strong impression in the Chargers’ first preseason game (Chargers Wire)
Travis Burke’s potential highlights just how much the Chargers leaned into their offseason plan (Bolt Beat)
NFL News:
Which NFL teams are best projected to be successful over the next three seasons? (ESPN)
Takeaways from the first week of the NFL preseason (ESPN)
Ranking the performances of all the rookies quarterbacks this past weekend (CBS Sports)
Von Miller is signing with the Cowboys (NFL.com)
Tristan Wirfs has returned to practice for the Bucs (Pro Football Talk)
Ranking the five best rookies performances from the first week of the preseason (Sports Illustrated)