Chargers' Bosa makes strides to return from foot injury

Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa said he feels he's making progress in relation to an injured left foot that has sidelined him all season.

"(It's) the first time that I'm really making some strides to get out on the field," the 23-year-old Bosa said, via the team's official website. "It's been a slow progression ever since I left.

"We kind of started from square one, literally walking on the field. You have to walk before you run. I know it's kind of silly, but it's kind of how it goes. It's simple walking. Toe walks. Heel walks. Rising up on my toes. It's just been a very slow progression."

The positive steps have prevented coach Anthony Lynn from ruling out Bosa as the Chargers (5-2) visit the Seattle Seahawks (4-3) on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET).

Bosa said we'll know he's ready to play when he gets in a Wednesday practice.

"From now, it's going to be a week-to-week type thing," Bosa said. "People keep asking me when I'm going to be ready. I'm going to be ready when my foot is ready to play. I'm not going to push it a day early, and I'm also not going to be sitting around healthy waiting to play (against) the best matchup.

"The second my foot is ready (to) practice on a Wednesday, I will play that week. Whether it be next week (or) two weeks from now, I'm feeling very confident in the way it's progressing that I'll be out there in the next few weeks ready to go."

His comments come on the heels of ESPN's Adam Schefter citing a source as saying that Bosa isn't "anywhere near ready to play right now."

Bosa initially sustained the injury on Aug. 11, with the source saying that the injury was expected to have him sidelined eight to 12 weeks.

Melvin Ingram (team co-leading 3.5 sacks) and Isaac Rochell (two sacks) have performed well at defensive tackle in the absence of Bosa, who was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2017 after racking up a team-leading 12.5 sacks while starting all 16 games. The 6-5, 280-pounder finished with 70 tackles and four forced fumbles last season.

A first-round pick out of Ohio State (No. 3 overall) in the 2016 NFL Draft, Bosa enjoyed a stellar first season with 10.5 sacks in 12 games, receiving NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.