Los Angeles Chargers Injury Updates: Every injured player to monitor heading into third NFL training camp under Jim Harbaugh
The Los Angeles Chargers enter their third training camp under Jim Harbaugh with several key injury updates. Players like Ladd McConkey, Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt, and Junior Colson will be top of mind.
The Los Angeles Chargers head into 2026 NFL training camp carrying a list of injury concerns after an injury-plagued 2025 season.
Star wide receiver Ladd McConkey, both starting offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and linebacker Junior Colson all face varying degrees of health questions as the team prepares to open camp later this month. It’ll be the team’s third camp under head coach Jim Harbaugh and a pivotal one. Several of those players made progress during their respective rehabs this offseason, but the Chargers need them on the field if they want to compete in the AFC West and return to the postseason.
Ladd McConkey’s hamstring is trending in the right direction
McConkey dealt with a hamstring strain originally tweaked during Phase 2 of the offseason workout program. Harbaugh recently stated that the issue “isn’t a big concern,” and Los Angeles has been slow-rolling his reps to prevent the injury from lingering into the regular season.
The big question is whether McConkey’s ailment will have improved enough for full participation by the time camp opens. Soft-tissue injuries, like hamstring strains, can linger if not treated properly. McConkey and the Chargers appear to be taking the right precautions.
“There’s no reason to rush it and really push it and then have another setback, and then you bleed into training camp,” McConkey said.
Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are working back from significant injuries
Slater is expected to be full go for training camp following a torn patellar tendon sustained during 2025 training camp. He participated in individual and some team drills during OTAs, and he maintains that he’s “feeling great” as he returns from the knee injury.
Still, it’s worth monitoring whether he will participate fully and pass the conditioning test at the start of camp. Patellar tendon injuries are typically more difficult for offensive and defensive linemen to recover from than for other position groups because they carry more weight and mass, which puts greater strain on the knee. His rehab seems to be going well, and he appears to be trending in the right direction heading into camp. However, this is the one injury that should be of greatest concern.
Alt dealt with an ankle injury last season that landed him on injured reserve in November. He missed nine games to end the regular season. Alt says his ankle has been doing great and that his rehab has gone well. He should also be expected to be full go at the start of training camp.
The ideal situation for the Chargers is to have both Slater and Alt out there as bookend tackles from Day 1.
Junior Colson’s shoulder and other Chargers who are dealing with injuries
Linebacker Junior Colson, whom Harbaugh coached at Michigan, was placed on injured reserve early last season. He missed the entire 2025 campaign after shoulder surgery. Colson is expected to be back on the field and get an uptick of opportunities during practice for the Chargers this summer.
Additionally, offensive tackles Trey Pipkins and Alex Harkey were both held out of OTAs and mandatory minicamp practices. Each of them is reportedly working through an injury. Neither situation seems serious, but both are worth monitoring heading into training camp. Pipkins and Harkey provide key depth at offensive tackle and guard. Their availability could make a difference if Slater or Alt is not ready at the start of camp.
A few other players to watch include safety Kendall Williamson, who is working through an ankle injury; cornerback Eric Rogers, who is dealing with an undisclosed issue; and defensive back Neeko Reid, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury that impacted him late last season.
Health will determine the Chargers’ ceiling in 2026
Los Angeles seems to be in relatively good health heading into training camp. Several players are expected to return after recovering from their injuries. If some players are unable to return, they’ll be placed on the Active/PUP list at the start of camp.
What is the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list?
Players who aren’t healthy enough to pass the conditioning test at the beginning of training camp will be placed on the Active/PUP list.
- Players on the Active/PUP list still count against the 90-man roster.
- Players on the Active/PUP list at the start of camp can return to practice at any point.
- Players on the Active/PUP list during 53-man roster cuts are placed on the Reserve/PUP list.
- Players placed on the Reserve/PUP list must miss at least four regular-season games before becoming eligible to return.
The key for the Chargers is maintaining that level of health through camp and the preseason. Last year, they lost Slater to a knee injury sustained during training camp, which altered the trajectory of the season. Staying healthy will be vital as the team seeks to get back to the postseason and compete in the AFC West.