It appears all but certain now.
Joey Bosa will miss the start of the regular season.
The Chargers practiced in pads Wednesday as they did on Monday. And like on Monday, the No. 3 overall draft pick did not participate, limited by what the team has characterized as "tightness." Because a contract dispute kept Bosa from training camp and the preseason, if he was to play Sunday in Kansas City, it would be his first football activity in pads since the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1 while at Ohio State.
That is highly, highly improbable.
The Chargers have insisted they won't rush Bosa for the sake of him playing in their season opener. Internally, they've understood the challenge it would entail for him to be ready Week 1, given the 31 days he missed from the report date of training camp to his Aug. 29 signing date. So, the scenario in which the Chargers and Bosa find themselves now is not surprising.
It was even acknowledged Aug. 24 when the team released a statement as contract talks were still ongoing.
"The offer that we extended was for Joey to contribute during all 16 games and beyond," the statement read in part. "Joey's ability to contribute for an entire rookie season has now been jeopardized by the valuable time he has missed with his coaches and his teammates. Since Joey will not report at this time, his ability to produce not just early in the season, but throughout the entire season, has been negatively impacted."
Bosa has participated in one practice since June 8 and none since Aug. 30.
He watched most of Monday's session with a wrap over the mid-part of his left leg.
The Chargers will submit an injury report after Wednesday's practice. Since the defensive end is not on the 53-man roster _ the NFL granted San Diego a roster exemption _ he won't be listed. Likewise, on Friday, when the team declares which players are out, doubtful or questionable versus the Chiefs, Bosa again won't be listed.
Today, to characterize Bosa's status as "doubtful" would seem optimistic.
San Diego has six defensive linemen are on their 53-man roster: Corey Liuget, Brandon Mebane, Darius Philon, Tenny Palepoi, Ryan Carrethers and Caraun Reid. Philon is slated to start for Bosa at left defensive end. Along with likely Bosa, the Chargers will enter the season without defensive linemen Sean Lissemore (shoulder, injured reserve) and Damion Square (four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy).
