For the third consecutive practice, left tackle Rashawn Slater is not at practice for the Chargers. Slater is amongst a growing list of players to sit out practice that reached seven names on Monday. Other players who are sitting out Wednesday’s session include fellow tackle Trey Pipkins, cornerback Tarheeb Still (second consecutive practice missed), safety Tony Jefferson, and cornerback Donte Jackson.
Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Saturday that Slater was to receive a veteran’s rest day,
but we have not been given a reason for his absences from Sunday and now Monday. As far as we can tell, there was no setback in his return from a torn patellar tendon and Harbaugh reiterated on Saturday that he was right on schedule.
Without either Slater or Pipkins at practice, the Chargers leaned on second-year lineman Branson Taylor to play left tackle with the first team in front of Justin Herbert.
As for another noteworthy piece of offensive line news, rookie Jake Slaughter got the first reps at left guard with the first team when they broke in 11-on-11 drills. This comes one day after Slaughter rotated with the ones at left guard with both Kayode Awosika and Branson Taylor. Trevor Penning, who was another name that started camp within the massive rotation at left guard, has seemingly been dropped out of the running for that starting job.
