COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa did not practice Thursday, leaving his status for the opener against Kansas City in doubt.
Bosa was not in pads during the early portion of practice that is open to reporters after being listed as limited on Wednesday’s practice report. The third-year player did not play in the preseason after he injured his left foot on Aug. 7
Coach Anthony Lynn did not sound optimistic about Bosa’s status, but said it’s possible he could still play.
“He’ll be ready when he’s ready,” Lynn said. “Foot injuries take on all the body weight. That can be tricky and something you don’t want to rush. You want to make sure that’s right before a player comes back.”
Bosa has never missed a game because of injury since being selected with the third overall pick in the 2016 draft. He has 23 career sacks in two seasons, including an NFL-record 19 in his first 20 games.
If Bosa can’t play, second-year player Isaac Rochell would be in line for his first NFL start. It would also leave the Chargers without two starters on their defensive line. Defensive tackle Corey Liuget is serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
“Rochell has done a nice job for us. He got a lot of reps in the preseason and we’re pretty high where he’s at,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said. “I think that as a defense we feel pretty strongly about the guys that we have in place. I know there are a lot of times in preseason our second group played well.”
Photo credit – Jae C. Hong / Associated Press / Costa Mesa, CA