• Rashawn Slater exits Chargers practice on a cart: The star left tackle appeared to suffer a left leg injury, less than two weeks after he signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension.

• Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffers an apparent lower-leg injury: The newly acquired safety was carted off the field. He enjoyed a career year with the Eagles this past season before Philadelphia traded him to Houston.

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Chargers T Rashawn Slater leaves practice on cart

Los Angeles Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater left Thursday’s practice on a medical cart, according to ESPN’s Kris Rhim.

The injury appears to be a left leg issue for the Chargers’ star left tackle. Slater signed a four-year, $114 million contract extension that made him the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history on a per-year basis less than two weeks ago.

Slater is one of the league’s best players, regardless of position. He earned a 90.9 PFF overall grade last season, ranking second among 81 qualifying tackles. He also placed among the top seven tackles in both PFF pass-blocking grade (89.9) and PFF run-blocking grade (82.3).

Bills WR Khalil Shakir expects to be ready for Week 1

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir suffered a high-ankle sprain last Friday but is on track to be ready for the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, according to head coach Sean McDermott.

While it’s never a good sign when a top wide receiver is out for most of camp, Shakir has familiarity with the Bills’ offense entering his fourth year and should have no problem getting up to speed ahead of Week 1.

The former fifth-round pick out of Boise State has steadily improved in each of his three seasons, topping out with a 78.9 PFF overall grade last season to rank 22nd among 133 qualifying wide receivers. Over the past two seasons (including the playoffs), Shakir has caught 143 of 171 targets and dropped just three passes. 

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk not expected to be cleared for Week 1

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is not expected to be cleared for Week 1 as he recovers from a knee injury, according to general manager John Lynch.

Aiyuk suffered a torn ACL and MCL in Week 7 of the 2024 season and has been on the PUP list in camp. Initial reports suggested he would be ready to play midway through the 2025 season, so Lynch’s comments don’t come as much of a surprise.

Aiyuk was one of the league’s best receivers in 2023, earning an elite 91.5 PFF overall grade — the second-best mark out of 128 qualifying wideouts. He was rewarded with a four-year, $120 million extension just before the 2024 season kicked off.

Jauan Jennings and second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall will be tasked with carrying the load early in the season until Aiyuk is ready to go.

Texans S C.J. Gardner-Johnson carted off at practice 

Houston Texans safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson suffered an apparent lower leg injury at practice Thursday and had to be carted off the field, per KPRC 2 Houston’s Aaron Wilson.

The Eagles traded Gardner-Johnson to the Texans in March. He played a big role for the Super Bowl champions last year and had the best season of his career, finishing with an 85.7 PFF coverage grade that ranked sixth among 96 qualifying safeties. Including the playoffs, he recorded six interceptions and an additional six pass breakups.

The potential loss of Gardner-Johnson would be a big hit to a Texans secondary that placed fourth in PFF’s rankings heading into the season.

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