Before succumbing to a defeat against the Green Bay Packers on the road, the Los Angeles Chargers faced a setback with the potential loss of key defensive player Joey Bosa. Bosa’s departure during the 23-20 loss to the Packers was marked by a visible emotional reaction. Covered by a towel, he appeared upset and was seemingly in tears as he left the field on a medical cart.
The Chargers officially announced that Bosa would not be returning due to a foot injury, refraining from specifying the exact nature of the injury. The injury occurred on just the fourth play of the game when Bosa, grappling with a right foot ailment, hobbled off the field. Although he initially limped off under his own power, he eventually fell to his knees on the sideline before being assisted to the Chargers’ bench.
In the second half, Bosa was spotted back on the Chargers’ sideline, but he was utilizing crutches and had a walking boot on. Head coach Brandon Staley did not provide any post-game updates on the nature of Bosa’s injury.
This injury is another setback for Bosa, who has faced challenges maintaining his production since his breakout as one of the league’s premier edge rushers in 2016. That season, he secured 10.5 sacks and earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Bosa’s impressive performance continued with three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2019 to 2021.
The previous season saw Bosa struggling to recover from a groin injury suffered in Week 3, limiting him to just five games. Subsequently, he grappled with a hamstring injury in Week 1 and a fractured big toe in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings, affecting his left foot while being in a walking boot on his right.
These setbacks led to Bosa being on a limited snap count, and considering his emotional response during the recent injury, there are concerns about his availability for the rest of the season. Despite facing these challenges, Bosa has been a significant contributor, ranking second on the Chargers with 6.5 sacks this season and recording 20 tackles, six of which were for loss.
The Chargers defense has already encountered difficulties in containing opposing offenses this season, and the potential loss of a player of Bosa’s caliber would further compound their challenges. Notably, Bosa still has two years remaining on his $135 million extension signed with the Chargers in 2020.
