Chargers Place Tyler Biadasz on Season-Ending IR After ACL Damage

Tyler Biadasz will miss the 2026 season after suffering a left knee injury during an 11-on-11 drill against the San Francisco 49ers.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Chargers placed center Tyler Biadasz on season-ending injured reserve Sunday following a significant left knee injury. The 28-year-old veteran suffered damage to his ACL and additional knee injuries during a joint practice session with the San Francisco 49ers last week. The incident occurred during an 11-on-11 drill when 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell into Biadasz's leg. Biadasz remained on the turf for nearly five minutes while receiving attention from medical trainers before being transported off the field on a medical cart.

Biadasz joined the Chargers in March as a cornerstone of general manager Joe Hortiz’s interior offensive line reconstruction. He signed a three-year contract valued at up to $30 million during the offseason. Prior to arriving in Los Angeles, the center started 31 games over the previous two seasons for the Washington Commanders. His tenure in Washington ended in February when he was released as a cost-cutting measure.

Biadasz's NFL Career and Stats

Originally a fourth-round selection by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2020 NFL Draft, Biadasz started every one of the 49 games he appeared in for the franchise. His performance during the 2022 campaign earned him his only career Pro Bowl selection. The veteran center was expected to be a primary starter for coach Jim Harbaugh's first season leading the franchise.

With Biadasz sidelined for the duration of the year, the Chargers will turn to rookie Jake Slaughter to fill the vacancy at center. Slaughter, a second-round draft pick out of Florida, played the position exclusively during his collegiate career. Although he has transitioned to the starting center role now, the Chargers coaching staff had primarily utilized him at left guard throughout the early stages of training camp.

Jake Slaughter Steps Into Starting Role

Coach Jim Harbaugh praised the rookie's mental preparation and execution on the field. Harbaugh noted that Slaughter’s mind is sharp from the pre-snap phase through the whistle. The head coach specifically highlighted the rookie's high level of understanding regarding the complexities of the position.

This roster move comes as the Chargers continue their preseason preparations in El Segundo. The loss of Biadasz represents a shift for the offensive unit, which had invested heavily in his veteran experience during the spring signing period. Slaughter now assumes the responsibility of anchoring an offensive line that was overhauled to support the franchise's new direction under the Hortiz and Harbaugh administration.

Impact on the Chargers Offensive Line

The injury to Biadasz forces an immediate adjustment to the starting five blockers. While Slaughter brings SEC experience from his time with the Gators, he must now adapt to the speed of the professional game as a full-time starter earlier than anticipated. The Chargers' decision to move Biadasz to the season-ending injured reserve list effectively ends his first year with the team before the regular season begins. The team officially announced the transaction on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 1:10 PM ET. No further updates regarding the specific nature of the "additional injuries" to his left knee were provided beyond the confirmed ACL damage.