Chargers' running defense set to suffer without Joey Bosa

The absence of Joey Bosa is already affecting the Chargers' running defense. 

The 27-year-old outside linebacker suffered a torn groin in the first quarter of the Bolts' Week 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Bosa is expected to miss between eight and 10 weeks. 

In Week 4, the Chargers beat Houston, 34-24, but they allowed 131 yards rushing to Dameon Pierce. He picked up more than half on a 75-yard run in the second quarter. 

Week 4 was the second week in a row the Chargers have allowed more than 100 rushing yards. They held the Las Vegas Raiders to 64 in Week 1 and kept the Kansas City Chiefs to 93 yards in Week 2 before the Jags lit them up for 151.

Outside linebacker Khalil Mack picked up his fifth sack of the season against Houston, but he can’t stop the run on his own. Bosa lacked sufficient help last season, when the Chargers allowed the third-most rushing yards in the NFL.

The Chargers have a tough running back matchup in Week 5 in the Browns, whose backfield features Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt.

With Sunday's win, ESPN moved the Chargers from 15th to 13th in its weekly power rankings.