Chargers’ Biadasz Carted Off Field in Scary Injury Scare
Chargers Center Tyler Biadasz Carted Off Field After Scary Knee Injury at Joint Practice
What Happened at Practice?
Imagine you’re playing a game of tag with friends, and suddenly someone falls on your leg the wrong way. That’s basically what happened to Los Angeles Chargers center Tyler Biadasz during a joint practice with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday.
Here’s the play-by-play:
- The Setting: Both teams were practicing together in an "11-on-11" drill (that means all 11 players from offense vs. all 11 from defense — like a real game but in practice)
- The Incident: 49ers defensive tackle Sebastian Valdez fell onto Biadasz’s left knee
- The Result: Biadasz couldn’t put any weight on his leg and had to be carted off the field (that’s the golf-cart-like vehicle that takes injured players to the locker room)
Important Point: This happened during a joint practice — not a real game. Teams do these to get better competition before the season starts.
Who Is Tyler Biadasz? (The Quick Resume)
Think of Biadasz as the "quarterback of the offensive line." The center is the player who snaps the ball to start every play — like the person handing off the baton in a relay race.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 28 years old |
| Position | Center (C) |
| College | University of Wisconsin |
| Drafted | 4th round, 2020 by Dallas Cowboys |
| Current Team | Los Angeles Chargers (signed this offseason) |
His Contract Journey (In Simple Terms)
- 2020–2023: Rookie contract with Cowboys — 4 years, ~$3.1 million
- 2024–2025: Signed with Washington Commanders — 3 years, up to $30 million
- 2026 (This Year): Released by Commanders, then signed with Chargers — 3 years, $30 million
Fun Fact: Last season (2025), Biadasz started all 16 games at center for the Commanders. That’s like showing up to work every single day and never missing a shift!
Who Steps In Now? Meet Jake Slaughter
When the starter goes down, the "next man up" mentality kicks in. According to reporter Kris Rhim, second-round rookie Jake Slaughter immediately took over at center after Biadasz left.
What "second-round" means: In the NFL Draft, teams pick players in rounds (1st round = best prospects). Second round means Slaughter was considered a very good player — just not the top tier.
Why This Matters for the Chargers
The Bad News
- Starting center potentially out — the guy who touches the ball every single play
- Timing: Right before the regular season starts
- Chemistry: Offensive lines need to work together like a synchronized dance team
The Silver Lining
- Depth: They have a highly-drafted backup (Slaughter) ready
- Practice Setting: Better to discover injuries now than in Week 1
- Time: There’s still preseason to adjust
Summary: The Big Picture
TL;DR: Chargers starting center Tyler Biadasz suffered a left knee injury when a 49ers player fell on him during joint practice. He couldn’t walk off the field and was carted away. Rookie Jake Slaughter stepped in immediately. Biadasz, 28, just signed a $30 million deal this offseason after playing every game for the Commanders last year. We’re waiting on official diagnosis — but this is a significant concern for LA’s offensive line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly does a "center" do in football?
The center is the middle player on the offensive line. They snap the ball (hike it) to the quarterback to start every play. They also block defenders and call out blocking assignments — basically the "traffic cop" of the line.
What’s a "joint practice" and why do teams do it?
Two NFL teams practice together for a few days. It gives players different competition than their own teammates — like scrimmaging another school in gym class instead of just your own classmates.
What does "carted off" mean?
When a player can’t walk or put weight on an injury, medical staff drives a motorized cart onto the field to transport them to the locker room for evaluation. It usually signals a potentially serious injury.
How long might Biadasz be out?
We don’t know yet. It could be:
- Days/weeks (minor sprain)
- Months (ligament tear like ACL/MCL)
- Season-ending (worst case)
The team will likely release an update after MRI results.
Can Jake Slaughter actually play center in the NFL?
He was a second-round draft pick — teams don’t spend that high a pick on players they don’t think can play. But there’s a big gap between "practice" and "real games against elite defenders." The preseason will be his audition.
Stay Updated
This story is developing. For the latest:
- Follow @nfltrade_rumors on X (formerly Twitter)
- Check NFLTradeRumors.co for breaking updates
- Watch for official Chargers injury reports (usually released Wednesdays during season)
Article based on reporting from Kris Rhim and Daniel Popper. Published August 18, 2026.