**Joey Bosa Anticipates Return Against Saints, Likely on Snap Count**

Joey Bosa's return has been closely watched since he exited the game early against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. His absence extended through the Kansas City Chiefs contest due to a hip injury and persisted even after the Chargers' Week 5 bye week, where he didn't play despite limited practice participation. As the Chargers gear up to face the New Orleans Saints, Bosa has practiced in a limited capacity each day this week and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game. However, Bosa has expressed confidence in his return, albeit on a limited snap count.

Bosa's absence has significantly affected the Chargers' defense. Tuli Tuipulotu and Bud Dupree have shouldered much of the pass-rushing workload, with Tuipulotu playing around 76-77% of the snaps and Dupree over 50%, peaking at 65% against Denver. The return of Bosa, even in a limited role, is expected to alleviate some of this pressure and bolster the defensive line. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh acknowledged the importance of Bosa’s return, indicating he would likely be on a snap count: "We'd love to see Joey out there affecting the game like he's really good at doing."

Bosa’s injury, a "glute strain" affecting his sciatic nerve, has been described as some of the worst pain he has ever endured. This complication has explained the extended recovery period, casting uncertainty over his availability in recent weeks. Despite his pending return, Bosa candidly spoke about his frustration and feelings of letting his team down, lamenting missed games over the past few seasons. "The main thing is I feel like I've been letting my team down... It just sucks how these years have gone the last few years," Bosa shared.

The recent games against Kyler Murray and the Denver Broncos highlighted the impact of Bosa’s absence, with opposing offenses finding more opportunities to exploit the edges. Jesse Minter's vision for the Chargers heavily involves the impactful duo of Bosa and Khalil Mack, and there is hope that Bosa’s return will help realize this strategy. As the Chargers prepare for their game at SoFi Stadium, getting Bosa back on the field, even in a limited capacity, will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their quest for their fourth win of the season.