The Los Angeles Chargers are in last place in the AFC West with a 5-9 record and are 13th in the AFC Playoff Picture with a less than 1% chance of making the playoffs.
Their defense has been terrible this season. They allow the fifth-most points, the fourth-most yards, the fourth-most yards per play, the fourth-most first downs, and the third-most passing yards.
Los Angeles designated Joey Bosa for return from injured reserve. Bosa has 21 days to practice before he can be elevated to the active roster. He will miss the remainder of the 2023 season if they decide not to activate him in that time frame.
The Los Angeles Chargers pro bowl edge rusher suffered a foot injury in Week 11
Joey Bosa was carted off the field with a foot injury in their Week 11 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. He suffered a sprained foot and was placed on injured reserve, missing the last four games.
Los Angeles went 1-3 in their last four games with Bosa out.
They lost 10-20 to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12, won 6-0 to the New England Patriots in Week 13, lost 7-24 to the Denver Broncos in Week 14, and lost 21-63 to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 15.
Bosa has been limited to nine games this season
Bosa has been limited to nine games this season due to injuries. He suffered a fractured left big toe in Week 3 and missed Week 4. He returned to action in Week 6 and managed to play the next six games.
Bosa has 20 tackles, six for a loss, 6.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and 15 pressures this season.
Who replaced him?
Rookie Tuli Tuipulotu has filled in for the injured Bosa. Tuipulotu has appeared in every game and started in eight, recording 40 tackles, eight for a loss, four sacks, ten quarterback hits, one pass deflection, one forced fumble, and 20 pressures.
Who is carrying their defense?
Khalil Mack has been carrying the defense this season. He has 58 tackles, 15 for a loss, 15 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, eight pass deflections, five forced fumbles, 28 pressures, and has a 91.1 PFF Grade.
Mack recorded six sacks in their Week 4 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Will he play this season?
It’s unclear whether Joey Bosa will return this season. He has already been ruled out for their Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
There’s no reason for Bosa to play because they have less than a 1% chance of making the playoffs, and there is a possibility he reaggravates his foot injury.
The best thing he can do is recover and prepare for next season.
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