The Los Angeles Chargers have been arguably the most injury-riddled team in the NFL this season, and perhaps the one player on their roster who was hit the hardest was Joey Bosa.
The star pass rusher suffered a groin tear in Week 3 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he finally made it back onto the practice field last week as he geared up for his long-awaited return.
However, just before the Chargers’ Week 17 contest against the Los Angeles Rams, Bosa got hit by a case of food poisoning, and it threatened to keep him off the field yet again.
Joey Bosa said he was battling food poisoning last weekend that impacted him during Sunday’s game vs. the Rams.
— Nick Cothrel (@NickCothrel) January 5, 2023
But Bosa, who is a four-time Pro Bowler and the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year, is a tough customer, and although he played only about half of L.A.’s defensive snaps, he managed to record two solo tackles in the team’s 31-10 win.
The Chargers will face the Denver Broncos in Week 18 with the chance to clinch the fifth seed in the AFC, and they could clinch that spot before their game even starts if the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Even if that happens, it appears the plan is for head coach Brandon Staley to still play most, if not all of his starters.
Giving Bosa a considerable amount of playing time will be very important given his extended absence, as he needs to get back into game shape and rhythm before the playoffs start.
With him back up to speed, the Chargers should boast a robust pass-rushing attack between him and Pro Bowler Khalil Mack on the other side of their front seven.
NEXT: Was Austin Ekeler A Pro Bowl Snub This Season?