San Diego: Joey Bosa and the Chargers hoped this day would come long ago.
Alas, it appears it finally will: The defensive end will make his NFL debut.
Bosa missed the first four games of his career to a contract dispute that consumed his August and a hamstring strain that stole his September. On Friday, the No. 3 overall pick officially was given the green light to play Sunday against the Raiders in Oakland.
And it’s about time.
“This has been a long time coming,” Bosa said Friday. “I’m finally going to play my first snap. But I’m going to stay calm and treat it like another game. ... It’s been a frustrating journey, but it’s been a great journey. These are the kinds of things in your life that really turn you into who you are, going through hard situations in life.
“I’m thankful for just finally having the opportunity to get to play. I’m just excited to help my team more than anything.”
The Chargers worked to return Bosa into the fold after he missed all of training camp. He signed his contract August 29, one month after players reported. The mutual hope was for him to see a rotational role as early as the September 11 season opener in Kansas City, but a hamstring injury kept him off the field following his initial practice on August 30.
His contract was a waiting game.
It became clear that so, too, would be his debut.
This week marked Bosa’s third straight week of practice. It was, however, different than the others. The Chargers turned him loose from a physical standpoint, making him a full participant in their workouts. By comparison, he was listed as limited in all six sessions prior. Bosa said that he had a good sense last week this Sunday would mark his NFL debut.
“I’m definitely ready,” Bosa said.
His teammates are happy for him, perhaps none more than Joshua Perry.
The inside linebacker and fellow rookie was a teammate of Bosa’s at Ohio State. They’ve been paired together as hotel roommates this season when the Chargers are on the road.
“Before a game, he always asks me how I feel about the game plan, how my body is feeling,” said Perry, a fourth-round pick. “Then I’d ask him about where he’s at mentally, just talking about how tough it is not to be on the field. ... Being boys with him for as long as I’ve known him, he’s just ready to go. I’m glad to have him back out. It’s going to be exciting to see what he’s going to do.”
From a snap count, he won’t be overexerted.
The 21-year-old seems unlikely to start at left defensive end, Darius Philon figuring to get that call for at least another week. Rather, Bosa will be eased back in a rotational role.
After all, he has logged just one practice in pads, and that came two weeks ago when he was still limited. Boss was dismissive toward that padded practice even counting. So essentially, Sunday will be both his first game and first action in pads since the Fiesta Bowl versus Notre Dame on January 1.
Boss was ejected in the first quarter of that game for targeting.
“He’s looking great,” defensive coordinator John Pagano said Thursday. “He’s excited to finally just be out there and doing the kinds of things he can do instead of that process. ... It gives us a change-of-pace guy because when he’s out there, we drafted him there for a reason. If he can come and do the things we want him to do, that’ll be big for us.”
“The last couple weeks, he was getting closer and closer,” coach Mike McCoy said Friday. “It looks like he’ll play this week, so we’re excited. He’s worked hard to get back to where he is today. ... We’ve got a plan for him going into the game initially, what we think would be that right (snap) number, and then we’ll see how the game goes. I will have some flexibility on that number.”
The Chargers called Bosa on April 28 and informed him he was their No. 3 draft pick, the first non-quarterback selected after Jared Goff and Carson Wentz went to the Rams and Eagles, respectively.
That was one call.
On Sunday, Bosa awaits another, one for which he waited longer than anticipated.
“I’m just ready to have my name called whenever they need me,” Bosa said. “I’ll be ready.”
