Rashawn Slater (Los Angeles Chargers)
Injury: Torn Patellar Tendon (Left Knee)

Slater suffered one of the most devastating injuries an offensive lineman can endure when he tore his left patellar tendon during a training camp practice on August 7. The injury occurred after another player rolled into his leg during an 11-on-11 drill, forcing the All-Pro left tackle off the field on a cart. The timing made the injury even more heartbreaking, coming just 10 days after Slater signed a four-year, $114 million extension that briefly made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history. Patellar tendon ruptures typically require 9-12 months of rehabilitation and can significantly impact lower-body strength and mobility, making full recoveries particularly challenging for players responsible for anchoring against elite pass rushers.

Broderick Jones (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Injury: Serious Neck Injury (Spinal Fusion Surgery)

Jones initially appeared to suffer nothing more than a stinger during a Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears, but further evaluation revealed a much more serious cervical spine injury that ultimately required spinal fusion surgery. The procedure immediately ended his season and leaves considerable uncertainty surrounding his NFL future. Neck injuries requiring spinal fusion are among the most concerning in football, particularly for offensive linemen who experience violent contact on virtually every snap. Pittsburgh's decision to invest a first-round pick in offensive lineman Max Iheanachor underscores the uncertainty surrounding Jones' recovery and long-term availability entering the 2026 season.

Alijah Vera-Tucker (New England Patriots)
Injury: Torn Triceps (Left Arm)

Vera-Tucker suffered a torn left triceps during a one-on-one drill just three days before the Jets' season opener, wiping out his entire 2025 campaign before it even began. The injury required approximately seven months of rehabilitation and marked his third major injury in four seasons after tearing the opposite triceps in 2022 and suffering an Achilles rupture in 2023. While none of the injuries are directly related, the accumulation of significant injuries has raised durability concerns for one of the league's most versatile interior offensive linemen. When healthy, Vera-Tucker remains one of New York's most valuable blockers, but staying on the field has become the biggest challenge of his career.

Joe Alt (Los Angeles Chargers)
Injury: Ankle Injury (Required Surgery)

Alt's rookie season was derailed by recurring ankle problems that ultimately required surgery after he re-injured the same ankle in Week 9. He was carted off the field after previously missing three games with the initial injury, compounding what had already become a disastrous year for the Chargers' offensive line following Rashawn Slater's season-ending injury. Although ankle surgeries generally offer favorable recovery outlooks compared to ligament injuries, offensive tackles rely heavily on balance, leverage, and lateral movement, making a full recovery essential. The Chargers will need Alt healthy entering 2026 as they attempt to rebuild one of the league's most injury-plagued offensive lines.

Robert Hunt (Carolina Panthers)
Injury: Torn Bicep

Hunt's breakout momentum came to an abrupt halt when he tore his bicep during a Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The injury landed him on injured reserve just one season after earning his first Pro Bowl selection and signing a five-year, $100 million contract with Carolina. Bicep injuries can be particularly challenging for offensive linemen, whose ability to engage, control defenders, and sustain blocks depends heavily on upper-body strength. Fortunately, surgical repair typically produces favorable long-term outcomes, and Hunt is expected to enter 2026 with a strong chance of returning near full strength.

Ikem Ekwonu (Carolina Panthers)
Injury: Ruptured Patellar Tendon (Right Knee)

Ekwonu suffered one of the most devastating injuries of the postseason when he ruptured his right patellar tendon just eight plays into Carolina's Wild Card matchup against the Rams. The injury immediately ended his season and carries one of the longest recovery timelines of any offensive lineman entering 2026, typically requiring 9-12 months before a return to play is possible. The timing could not have been worse, as Carolina had already exercised his fifth-year option and Ekwonu was entering a pivotal contract season. Patellar tendon ruptures remain one of the most difficult injuries for linemen to overcome because they directly affect lower-body power, balance, and leverage—traits that define success at left tackle. His recovery will be one of the most closely watched storylines for Carolina heading into the season.

Want the same injury edge behind our NFL Futures?

2026 NFL Player Props Are Live
The first wave of 2026 player props is available now for SIC Picks subscribers. Follow before they disappear.

Use Code 2026 saves $50 plus we have a $100 price rise coming in July. Sign up by June 30 to save $150!

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE AND SEE THE PICKS

Now is the time to get the best value with SIC Picks! With an Annual subscription you get access to:

  • NFL Futures

  • NFL +30 units on Spread Picks in 2025 and 56.5% over the past two years

  • Our NFL and NBA model have won at over 56.5% ATS since we started seven years ago on NFL and over four years on NBA!

  • NCAAB picks went +26 units this season.

  • WNBA Picks

  • Soccer World Cup Picks

Sign up to SIC Picks today to get our picks sent direct to your cell!