Los Angeles Chargers offensive sort out Rashawn Slater was carted off the observe area on Thursday afternoon with what turned out to be a major damage. In response to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, the two-time Professional Bowler suffered a season-ending knee damage.
It is a large blow to the crew’s offensive line and offense as an entire.
It additionally serves as a harsh reminder as to why gamers will all the time — and may all the time — act on the facet of warning with regards to taking part in coaching camp when they’re looking for a brand new contract.
In Slater’s case, he is a fortunate one as a result of he simply agreed to a brand new four-year, $114 million contract extension with $92 million in ensures days earlier than the damage occurred. That contract was signed after he didn’t take part in a number of the crew’s early training-camp observe periods. If Slater had participated early on and had this damage occur earlier than he was in a position to get his new deal signed, it will have been a devastating blow in his quest to get that pay day. Not solely would the Chargers have had no incentive to pay him this season, however there isn’t any assure he would have ever obtained that kind of contract sooner or later.
Followers may not like the thought of a hold-out or hold-in, however it’s a must to take a look at it from the angle of the participant. They’ve a really restricted time to earn prime greenback within the NFL, and there are by no means any ensures.
The hold-out/hold-in strategy will not be solely a option to put strain on the crew to pay them, however it’s additionally a matter of self-preservation. Soccer is a violent sport. It is a bodily sport. It is a collision sport. Accidents are all the time going to be part of that. However accidents occur with a lot higher frequency early within the season, and especially in training camp, attributable to the truth that gamers are nonetheless working their means again into sport form and going by means of extra intense and bodily practices than they do at any level through the season.
It is a harmful time for them when it comes to accidents, and that shouldn’t be ignored with regards to contract talks.
Gamers have quick careers and even much less time to set themselves up financially. They shouldn’t be prepared to take pointless dangers with regards to their incomes energy. The Slater scenario exhibits simply how delicate all of it’s.
