Chargers' Joey Bosa reveals Week 8 status vs. Saints, details grueling injury
Joey Bosa's status has been a story to follow ever since leaving the field after just one series against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Bosa missed the Kansas Chiefs game with a hip injury and got an additional week of rest as the Chargers had a Week 5 bye.
The Chargers' edge rusher registered a limited practice the following week but did not end up playing. Last week, he was no closer to an actual return after missing all practices ahead of Monday Night Football.
Bosa has practiced in a limited capacity each day this week as the Chargers prepare to host the New Orleans Saints. He's officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game. However, Bosa spoke to local media and suggested he is "definitely" going to play.
Bosa was quoted as saying he's "not going to play 60 snaps or anything", per Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the LA Times. Head coachJim Harbaugh echoed a similar sentiment about the teams' star pass rusher likely being on a limited snaps count:
"I would anticipate him being on a snap count," Harbaugh said. "We'd love to see Joey (Bosa) out there affecting the game like he's really good at doing."
Joey Bosa set to return for the Chargers vs. the Saints
Even with Bosa on a snap count, he can still ease the stress and workload that has been on the rest of the pass rushers in his absence. Tuli Tuipulotu has played 77% and 76% of the snaps in each of the last two games respectively. Bud Dupree has played over 50% of the snaps in both contests., reaching as high as 65% vs. Denver.
Bosa explained that his hip injury is specifically a "glute strain" that has affected his sciatic nerve:
Joey Bosa said he is expecting to play Sunday vs. Saints. He said he’s dealing with a glute strain that ended up affecting his sciatic nerve. Called it some of the worst pain he’s dealt with in his life. Bosa, who’s been out since Week 3, said he expects to be on a snap count.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) October 25, 2024
Calling it "some of the worst pain" of his life certainly explains the tricky timeline in being able to get him back into the lineup. Bosa also expressed regret about missing playing time this season and in the last few years with the team:
"The main thing is I feel like I've been letting my team down missing these games," Bosa said, via The Athletic's Daniel Popper. "Letting everybody down. Letting the coaches down. Letting the organization down. Letting myself down. It just sucks how these years have (gone) the last few years."
As rocky as Chargers fans' perception of Bosa may be, the team certainly needs him. Kyler Murray and James Conner running wild on Monday night certainly proved that his services were missed in that regard. Or even Bo Nix's scrambling in the Denver win after failed sack attempts.
The edge has not been as well sealed off in his absence, both in the run defense and the pass rush. Jesse Minter's vision coming into this season strongly involved Bosa and Khalil Mack being able to play together. Hopefully, if Bosa gets healthier as the season progresses, that is a dream still capable of being achieved.
Bosa will be back on Sunday vs. the Saints as the team looks to get their fourth win on the season at SoFi Stadium.
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