It has been a tough beginning to the season for not only the Chargers, but also star defensive end Joey Bosa, who has been dealing with a foot injury since training camp.
He knew he wasn’t ready to come back, but he tried to give it a go anyway and instead hurt himself long term.
“Initially, it wasn’t too big of a problem,” Bosa said. “During rehab, I kind of put an expectation on myself that I needed to be out there. In all reality, I should’ve taken my time, rested. I’ve never had an injury like this, and I just put a lot of pressure on myself to push back when I shouldn’t have. It complicated things a bit.”
The former Buckeye spoke to the media for the first time since his injury and stated that he would be out until the Chargers bye week, which is in about four weeks.
Bosa injured his foot during the first week of training camp in 11-on-11 drills and sat out the rest of preseason. The injury, at first, was seen as minor and it was believed he would be back to start the season.
During the first practice of the season leading up to their week one matchup against Kansas City, Bosa re-aggravated the foot injury.
"I knew out there I wasn't ready to go," Bosa said. "I thought maybe if I could get through that week without pain I maybe could be ready, but I think it's honestly a blessing that I hurt myself like that, because if I would have went out on game day I would have destroyed my foot, and we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."
Bosa flew to Green Bay two weeks ago to meet with foot specialist Robert Anderson to get a second opinion. He was told to wear a cast, which is now off, and he is now onto a walking boot.
“It’s going to be a few more weeks, and once that time comes, it’s really going to be a day at a time,” Bosa said. “Right now, we’re really trying to prevent surgery, which is looking good, as long as I take my time and do everything right. Which is what I’m trying to do right now.”
Bosa felt helpless watching his teammates lose to the Chiefs and LA Rams to a 73-51 combined score. He knows he could have had an impact in both games. He isn’t wrong, since his injury the Chargers haven’t been able to generate a consistent pass rush. In both of their losses they have sacked the opposing quarterback twice…TWICE.
“When I know I could have a great impact and help the game,” Bosa said. “It’s tough to watch.”
Joey isn’t the only Bosa going through an injury. His younger brother, Nick, who plays at Ohio State, just had abdominal surgery and is out for about eight weeks.
"In his last text, I asked him how he felt and he said, 'Ready to take down a small village,'" joked Bosa. "So he must be feeling pretty good. It sucks for my dad right now. It sucks for my family going through this right now, but I'm OK with it. I'm past the grieving. I'm past the feeling sorry for myself or anybody else.”
The former Ohio State product did mention numerous times that he is done feeling sorry for himself and that now it’s about getting back on the field to help his teammates, but being careful about it.
“To anybody out there that’s upset that I’m not out there, trust me, I wish I was,” Bosa said. “But if you wanted me to be out for the rest of the season, I can go play next week. If you want me to play this season, just let me do what I have to do.”
The Chargers schedule until the bye week includes San Francisco at home, the Oakland Raiders at home, a matchup in Cleveland, and then across the pond to face the Tennessee Titans in London. If the team can head into the bye week 5-2 or 4-3 then they will be in good shape for the return of their pass rusher, who is inching to hit the opposing quarterback.
NUTS N’ BOLTS
• Injury report: receiver Keenan Allen (knee) did not practice, right tackle Joe Barksdale (knee) did not practice and is ruled OUT for Sunday’s game, defensive end Joey Bosa (foot) OUT for Sunday’s game as well, receiver Travis Benjamin (foot) was limited in practice, left tackle Russell Okung (knee) and fullback Derek Watt (thumb) were both full participation.
