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Rashawn Slater undergoes surgery, heads to IR: AFC West roundup
Rashawn Slater undergoes ankle surgery and is placed on injured reserve while the Chargers remain winless at 0-4 in the AFC West.
By the PickALeague Newsroom · Published · Source: PickALeagueSummary written with AI assistance — how we workLire en français →
In an AFC West currently led by the 4-0 Kansas City Chiefs, Thursday and Friday news was dominated by more bad developments for the winless Los Angeles Chargers and a cluster of injury-related moves in Denver.
Chargers: Slater to IR, pressure mounting at 0-4
The Los Angeles Chargers, sitting at 0-4 in the division standings, are losing a cornerstone on offense. According to Pro Football Rumors, Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater has undergone surgery to address the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 4, and the team is moving him to injured reserve. The outlet notes this marks a second straight year in which Slater will require an IR stint, leaving the Chargers without their blindside protector for an extended stretch.
La Presse paints a broader, unflattering picture of the franchise’s struggles. The newspaper points out that some NFL teams mainly have on-field problems, others are held back by inadequate coaching, and still others by questionable decisions in the front office. In the Chargers’ case, La Presse suggests all three issues are in play, helping explain why Los Angeles is still searching for its first win of the season.
Broncos: Pat Bryant to IR, depth reshaped
At 2-2, the Denver Broncos are trying to keep pace with the 3-1 Las Vegas Raiders and the unbeaten Chiefs, but they’ll have to do it without one of their young receivers. Pro Football Rumors reports that wideout Pat Bryant will be placed on injured reserve after the ankle injury he sustained in Week 4, citing NFL.com in noting that Bryant will miss at least four games.
Denver also made a series of smaller roster moves. Per Pro Football Rumors, the Broncos have promoted wide receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey from the practice squad to the active roster and signed cornerback Ugo Amadi to their practice squad, shoring up depth at both receiver and in the secondary heading into the weekend.
Chiefs and Raiders quiet at the top
There were no games on the AFC West slate and no headlines directly involving the Kansas City Chiefs or Las Vegas Raiders. Kansas City remains alone in first at 4-0, with Las Vegas at 3-1. While it was a calm day for the two teams atop the division, the contrast is stark with the turbulence in Los Angeles and Denver as injuries and depth concerns begin to shape the AFC West race.