Chargers Offensive Tackle Rashawn Slater Placed On COVID-19 List
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) - Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and entered league protocols.
Slater is the 10th Chargers player since the start of November that has been placed on the league's reserve/COVID-19 list. Wide receiver Keenan Allen and backup center Scott Quessenberry had positive tests last week and remain on the list.
Coach Brandon Staley said Allen is a possibility to return in time for Thursday night's key AFC West matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chargers (8-5) are the fifth seed in the AFC and a game behind the Chiefs for the division lead.
Slater, the 13th overall pick in April's draft, is the only player on the Chargers offense who has played all 838 offensive snaps this season. If Slater is unable to play, Trey Pipkins, Storm Norton or Matt Feiler would be the options at left tackle.
OT Rashawn Slater tested positive for COVID-19, according to head coach Brandon Staley.
— Chris Hayre (@chrishayre) December 13, 2021
According to Daniel Popper, a Chargers beat-writer for The Athletic, Chargers Head Coach Brandon Staley says that Slater is on the list because of a positive test. Slater can still play on Thursday night against AFC West rival Kansas City Chiefs if he can get two negative tests 24 hours apart.
#Chargers LT Rashawn Slater is on the COVID-19 list because of a positive test, according to Brandon Staley. He still has a chance to play Thursday night if he can get two negative tests 24 hours apart, Staley said.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 13, 2021
Slater is one of 37 total positive COVID-19 tests on Monday, the NFL's highest number of player positives since the beginning of the pandemic, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Today was the NFL's highest number of player positives since Covid began.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 13, 2021
Defensive linemen Linval Joseph, Jerry Tillery and Christian Covington along with linebacker Drue Tranquill have also missed games because of COVID-19. Linebacker Joey Bosa, wide receiver Mike Williams and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. were in protocols due to being close contacts, but did not miss any games following five straight days of negative tests.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)