Chargers to place four-time Pro Bowl DE on IR

Joey Bosa is set to miss some time. The Chargers pass rusher has been diagnosed with a foot sprain and will likely be placed on injured reserve, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

This move would keep Bosa off the field for at least four weeks. Assuming the player lands on IR this week, he’ll be first eligible to return in Week 16.

Bosa was carted to the locker room during Sunday’s game against the Packers. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. Bosa was visibly upset while exiting the game, and head coach Brandon Staley later said it was “to be determined” if Bosa would miss the rest of the campaign, so Chargers fans were surely preparing for the worst.

This injury comes at a poor time for Bosa. As Daniel Popper of The Athletic writes, the star pass rusher was just getting back to full health after dealing with a hamstring injury and left big toe fracture earlier this season. Despite the veteran ramping up, he was still plenty productive, collecting 6.5 sacks through nine games.

Unfortunately, injuries have been an ongoing theme throughout Bosa’s career. The pass rusher was limited to only five games in 2022 thanks to a groin injury, and through the first seven seasons of his career, Bosa missed 30 regular season contests.

Khalil Mack has been having a standout season for the Chargers, and the team will lean on the linebacker even more with Bosa sidelined. Second-round rookie Tuli Tuipulotu will also take on a larger role with his teammate injured.