The LA Chargers can never catch a break on the offensive line. After one of the most injury plagued seasons in recent memory, the Bolts may have lost their starting center, Tyler Biadasz, for a large chunk of the 2026 season.
It's still unclear how severe the injury is, but the optics do not look good. Biadasz was rolled into during Tuesday's practice and had to be taken off the field on a cart. Those in attendance claim he could not put any weight on his leg.
Second-round pick Jake Slaughter is the natural built-in replacement for Biadasz at center. The Chargers drafted the promising Florida center with the intention of playing him at left guard. With Biadasz potentially out for an extended time, Slaughter can play his natural position.
While it's nice to have a built-in replacement plan, Biadasz's injury still creates a ripple effect on the rest of the offensive line room. As such, the Chargers may look to add another depth piece that can help stabilize the center or guard position.
Chargers' offensive line options after Tyler Biadasz injury:
James Daniels
James Daniels will probably be the most talked-about offensive lineman in connection with the Chargers. Daniels played for Mike McDaniel's Miami Dolphins last season, giving him an edge over anyone else in terms of his familiarity with the offense.
Daniels also has experience playing both guard and center, making him a theoretically sound signing for a Chargers team that suddenly needs depth. The problem is that the NFL isn't played in theory, and Daniels has legitimate injury concerns.
Daniels played just one game for the Dolphins last season, playing a total of three snaps. His experience with McDaniel was limited to training camp. Prior to that, Daniels played just four games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, also because of injury.
It's easy to see why the Chargers didn't want to take a flier on Daniels despite his McDaniel ties and the upside he showed earlier in his career. Now, with the Bolts more desperate, it's more fitting for the team to take a stab and hope he stays healthy as a depth option.
Graham Glasgow
Graham Glasgow is arguably the safest bet on this list, but even he has his limitations. Despite his immense experience in the NFL, Glasgow has started to regress and on paper, he isn't the best schematic fit in McDaniel's offensive scheme.
That being said, Glasgow has plenty of experience at both guard and center and would provide a proven option for the Bolts as a fallback plan. If there are any concerns whatsoever about Slaughter starting at center his rookie season, Glasgow could theoretically fill that void while allowing Slaughter to play left guard.
The Bolts would probably still be better off running with an internal option at left guard and Slaughter at center, but it would be nice to at least have this option in case Slaughter isn't ready. Glasgow isn't an amazing option, but he's not someone who will cause Justin Herbert to wake up with the sweats in the middle of the night.
Kevin Zeitler
Kevin Zeitler was widely speculated to join the Chargers last offseason. The former Baltimore Raven had direct connections to Greg Roman and Joe Hortiz but ultimately decided to play for the Tennessee Titans for lifestyle reasons.
Now, Zeitler still remains without a team and has to prioritize whether or not he can get a job. California may not be his No. 1 choice (or maybe it is, who are we to assume), but it might be the best opportunity for him to extend his NFL career.
The former Pro Bowl guard isn't a perfect schematic fit but he is experienced and would add an interesting wrinkle to the left guard battle, paving the way for Slaughter to start at center. We all know how much Hortiz loves to bring in former Ravens, and while he no longer has Roman running the offense, there could still be a place for Zeitler.
Liam Eichenberg
Another mediocre option with ties to McDaniel, Liam Eichenberg could be a target if the Chargers want to pursue someone younger solely as a depth option. The idea of Eichenberg starting should give fans night terrors, but if the Bolts just want youth with an understanding of the offense, Eichenberg may be their guy.
Taken in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the converted tackle never quite panned out with the Dolphins. Eichenberg struggled in four years as a starter and still earned a one-year contract from the Dolphins last offseason.
However, Eichenberg never played a snap as he was put on the PUP list prior to the season. It's unclear what the injury was, but the former Notre Dame tackle was eventually released due to a failed physical.
Eichenberg won't be a target for the Bolts if his health still isn't in line. However, if healthy, he's at least an option that can't be ruled out.
Will Hernandez
Another injury-plagued option, Will Hernandez is someone who also seemed like he would be a target for the Chargers in the past. The Bolts ultimately never pursued Hernandez, likely because of his injury history, but that could soon change with the new circumstances.
The 2018 second-round pick was legitimately one of the best rookie linemen in the sport for the New York Giants but never really reached new heights. Hernandez has put together quite a few solid seasons of productive play, but he never reached the Pro Bowl potential he seemingly had after his rookie campaign.
Hernandez missed only seven games in his first six seasons in the league. That has changed over the last two years with 22 total missed games. The injuries also had an impact on his play, which is why he is still a free agent in August.
The risk may not have been worth the reward before, but now, the Chargers may need to reconsider taking a chance on Hernandez. At the very least, he can be a depth swing guard who has played on both sides of the line.
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