Jake Slaughter will open the season as the Los Angeles Chargers’ starting center, giving the second-round draft pick an early role in the team’s matchup with the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old moved into the position after Tyler Biadasz tore an anterior cruciate ligament during practice last month.
Slaughter was selected out of Florida, where he started 33 games at center. He had also been among the candidates competing for the Chargers’ left guard job, but the team viewed him as capable of handling either position when it drafted him.
The 6-foot-4, 308-pound lineman said he had prepared for the possibility of playing throughout the season. He credited Chargers coaches and teammates with helping him adjust to the offense after moving into the starting role.
Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has praised Slaughter’s understanding of the system and his attention to corrections. Other Chargers players, including offensive tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, said Slaughter has shown confidence and earned the group’s trust. Offensive lineman Trey Pipkins III described him as one of the smartest rookies he has seen.
