The Los Angeles Chargers will be without starting center Tyler Biadasz for the entire upcoming season after he sustained a torn ACL during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers. The team announced Sunday that Biadasz has been placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Biadasz, 28, was a significant offseason addition for the Chargers, signing a three-year, $30 million contract. He was expected to anchor the offensive line after being released by the Washington Commanders. The injury occurred during an 11-on-11 drill when Chargers guard Kayode Awosika pushed a 49ers defensive lineman, Sebastian Valdez, who then fell into the back of Biadasz’s legs. Biadasz immediately went down and was eventually carted off the field.
Biadasz is entering his seventh NFL season. He previously played for the Dallas Cowboys, who drafted him in the fourth round in 2018, and spent two seasons with the Commanders. He earned a Pro Bowl selection during his tenure with Dallas.
Rookie Jake Slaughter is slated to replace Biadasz at center. Slaughter, a second-round pick, was initially competing for the starting left guard position but will now move to center, a position he played in college at Florida. He had also taken snaps at center during training camp and preseason.
This marks the second consecutive season the Chargers have faced a major injury to a key offensive lineman during training camp. Last year, starting left tackle Rashawn Slater suffered a torn patellar tendon shortly after signing a contract extension.
