COSTA MESA — The hits keep coming for the Chargers, who placed outside linebacker Joey Bosa on injured reserve Wednesday. Bosa sprained his right foot on the fourth play of the Chargers’ loss Sunday to the Green Bay Packers and was fitted with a protective walking boot and crutches.
The Chargers (4-6) signed outside linebacker Andrew Farmer II to the active roster in order to provide depth at the position while Bosa is sidelined for at least the next four games, including Sunday night’s home date with the AFC-leading Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at SoFi Stadium.
In addition, the Chargers also signed fullback Zander Horvath to the practice squad. Horvath spent all of last season with the Chargers. Farmer made his NFL debut in their victory over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, gaining an elevation from the practice squad after signing as a free agent in May.
Bosa appeared to twist his right foot awkwardly on the grass while fending off a blocker on the Packers’ fourth play from scrimmage Sunday. He limped on his left foot directly toward the sideline and then collapsed upon arrival. After a few minutes, he was taken from the sideline to the locker room on a cart.
He was rounding into form after playing with a broken big toe on his left foot, an injury suffered in a victory over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3 and sidelined him for a win over the Raiders. He had played with a protective cap over his toe, but that didn’t seem to limit his mobility or effectiveness.
Bosa and Khalil Mack combined to give the Chargers a solid run defense this season and a strong pass rush. Bosa has 6.5 sacks and 14 solo tackles with one forced fumble in nine games this season, and Mack has 11 sacks, fourth in the NFL, and 32 solo tackles with four forced fumbles in 10 games.
Farmer, Tuli Tuipulotu, a rookie from USC, and Justin Hollins, signed last week off the New York Giants’ practice squad, are expected to fill the void created by Bosa’s absence. As of now, the Chargers are unsure how long Bosa, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, might be sidelined.
The Chargers also placed Tanner Muse, a linebacker who injured his knee Sunday, on injured reserve and signed linebacker Blake Lynch to the practice squad and linebacker Ty Shelby to the practice squad. Muse also was injured in the first half of the Chargers’ 23-20 loss to Green Bay.
More to come on this story.