Joey Bosa misses first regular-season practice

San Diego Chargers rookie defensive end Joey Bosa misses first regular season practice on Monday due to “tightness.”

It has been a long road to get San Diego Chargers rookie Joey Bosa into a uniform and pads. As Monday’s first regular season practices comes and goes, it looks like it will be a bit longer. The defensive end expressed that he’s feeling some “tightness” and was held out of Monday’s practice. Without any real experience working with his new team, it’s entirely possible that Bosa’s “tightness” will impact his chances of playing in Sunday’s season opener.

Bosa’s road to the Chargers has been a bumpy one. As soon as the draft was over a contract battle erupted that kept Bosa out of the entire training camp and preseason schedule. The negotiations reached a fever pitch as the Chargers publicized their best and final offer to Bosa, which was not well-received in the Bosa camp. Bosa signed on August 29 and has yet to have a chance to get on the field with the team.

Currently Bosa is the Chargers’ 54th man on the roster after the team received an exemption from the NFL. The Chargers don’t have to report Bosa’s injuries since he is not officially on the 53-man roster. Bosa must be activated by Saturday to be eligible to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

However, getting Bosa ready for Sunday isn’t necessarily the plan. His readiness for the start of the season has always been in question as the contract negotiations dragged on. Now the real goal seems to be getting him ready in general.

Chargers head coach Mike McCoy reiterated Bosa’s tightness during the day’s presser. “He was a little tight so we held him out [Monday]. We’ll just go a day at a time moving forward from here. Like any player when they come in for training camp and you get in a mode you kind of gradually work them in to things.”

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With no timetable on Bosa’s progress, it seems we’re back in a holding pattern until Bosa’s tightness abates and the rookie defensive end can actually suit up and get onto the field.