Chargers OT Rashawn Slater confirmed with high-ankle sprain

The Chargers' worst-case concern on the offensive line was confirmed Monday: tests showed Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a high-ankle sprain, per Ian Rapoport, an injury that generally carries a 4-6 week recovery timeline.

Slater was believed to have hurt the ankle in Sunday's game, and the MRI confirmed the high-ankle variety. The syndesmosis sprain is notoriously tricky for linemen, who need to plant and drive off the injured leg on every snap, so the 4-6 week estimate is a significant chunk of the season for Los Angeles.

The timing is a real problem for a Chargers offensive line that anchors around Slater protecting the quarterback's blind side. Losing him for a month-plus forces the team to reshuffle its front and puts added pressure on the protection scheme. The Chargers have leaned on their line to keep the offense on schedule, and Slater's absence is the kind of injury that can ripple through the whole unit.

Los Angeles will now have to decide how to fill the left tackle spot in the interim, whether by sliding a guard over or turning to a backup tackle. The 4-6 week window would put a potential return somewhere in November, depending on how the sprain responds to treatment.