The Los Angeles Chargers acted on cut-down day to shore up their offensive line depth, trading for offensive lineman Austin Deculus from the Houston Texans in exchange for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. The move comes after the Chargers announced that left tackle Rashawn Slater will miss the season, leaving a notable vacancy on the front line.
Deculus, who went undrafted out of LSU, has started 13 games for the Texans over three seasons and has appeared in a total of 61 games for LSU in college. While he won’t instantly fill Slater’s role as a Pro Bowl-caliber starter, he provides valuable versatility and depth along the line to help protect Justin Herbert and keep the pocket clean.
Slater’s season-ending injury will be felt across the offense. With Slater out, rookie running back Omarion Hampton will face a steeper adjustment period, and Herbert could have less time to diagnose and deliver throws behind a thinner protection group. The Chargers’ decision to add Deculus signals a pragmatic approach to managing the interior line and keeping the offense on track.
What this means for the Chargers moving forward: Deculus adds experienced depth at multiple spots on the offensive line, giving coach teams room to maneuver at guard and tackle as the season unfolds. The conditional seventh-round pick is a low-cost asset that could yield long-term value if Deculus proves adaptable and durable.
Summary: In response to Slater’s injury and a need for reliable depth up front, the Chargers acquired Austin Deculus from the Texans for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick. The move aims to stabilize the line, support a young offense, and help Herbert operate with a workable pocket as the season approaches.
Comments and added context:
– This is a depth-oriented swing on cut-down day, not a reclamation of a starter role, but it positions the Chargers to weather injury-related gaps.
– Deculus’s versatility could allow the Chargers to shuffle positions to find the best five-man unit on game days.
– Watch for how the Chargers deploy Deculus in practice and how the line rotation evolves as they prepare for Week 1. If he adapts quickly, the team could mitigate some of the impact from Slater’s absence and keep the offense functioning at a high level.