Chargers season headed for premature end without Joey Bosa, Rashawn Slater

Head coach Brandon Staley said left tackle Rashawn Slater and edge rusher Joey Bosa may return soon, and Chargers fans had better hope he’s right.  

The 40-year-old second-year coach gave injury updates on the two stars Monday, one day after his team beat the Miami Dolphins, 23-17. 

"Individual workouts going better," Staley said about Bosa. (h/t ESPN.com) "In terms of opening up that [return] window, that's still kind of in motion."

Staley was even more cagey when it came to Slater’s injury saying he’s given the head coach "good reason to be optimistic."

While neither comment is a guarantee the Pro Bowlers will play a snap for the rest of the season, the Chargers need both players to make an impact in the playoffs. 

Los Angeles needs Bosa to slow down their opponent’s run game. The Chargers have allowed the fifth-most rushing yards (1,911) and the most yards per carry (5.4).

Bosa, who tore his groin during the third week of the season, can limit running backs with his partner in crime, Khalil Mack. The Chargers held the Raiders and the Chiefs to 64 and 93 yards on the ground, respectively, in the only two games where the defensive linemen played full games together.

That’s an average of 78.5 yards per game compared to the 159.5 yards per game the team has allowed since Week 3 when Bosa went down with his injury.  

Slater can bolster an offensive line that has appeared porous at times. The Chargers have rushed for the second-least yards (1,098) and the third-least yards per carry (3.72). 

Moreover the line hasn’t protected Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert well. He is one of just nine quarterbacks sacked at least 30 times this season. A Pro Bowl left tackle would greatly improve an otherwise weak offensive line. 

Los Angeles hasn’t truly challenged for a spot in the Super Bowl in 15 years, when they last appeared in the AFC Championship Game. Without a full, healthy roster, the Bolts might make the playoffs but won’t advance far.