Los Angeles Chargers Welcome Back Joey Bosa And Cross Their Fingers That Derwin James Is Fit Soon

The Los Angeles Chargers are getting their highest-paid player back, while another pricey defender, will sit.

Pro Bowl defensive end Joey Bosa, who was activated from injured reserve on Thursday, was cleared to play on Friday when the Chargers face the L.A. Rams on Sunday.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley said it’s his intention for Bosa to get snaps after missing 12 games following his groin injury in late September against the Jacksonville Jaguars that required surgery.

Bosa said “he’s feeling better than he has in years” and the Chargers, absent from the playoffs since 2018, are eager to see him contribute.

While the Chargers are ecstatic over Bosa’s return, Pro Bowl safety Derwin James Jr. won’t be joining him.

James (concussion) has been limited in practice the past two days, but he won’t go on Sunday. The Chargers, who clinched a playoff berth with a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, are being cautious with their top-shelf defender.

He sustained his injury in Monday’s win over the Colts, the result of a violent collision with wide receiver Ashton Dulin. James was ejected for the hitting Dulin in the head during the tackle.

Bosa and James are key parts of a Chargers defense — even minus their contributions of late — that has been a focal point in L.A.’s late-season resurgence which has seen them win three straight games.

Both men, too, consume a significant part of the Chargers’ salary cap.

Bosa leads all his teammates in compensation with a five-year, $135 million contract and he’s also No. 1 with a salary cap charge of $28.2 million.

Defensive end Khalil Mack’s contract is worth more overall at $141 million than Bosa’s, but its length is one year longer.

James’ deal is four years for $76 million, with his cap hit of $8.1 million being the eighth-highest on the team.