ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) – Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott announced Tuesday that veteran edge rusher Joey Bosa is expected to miss the team’s spring practices due to a calf injury. The injury occurred during workouts with the team last week.
McDermott said he anticipates Bosa, who is entering his 10th NFL season, will be ready in time for training camp at the end of July.
“It’s definitely a concern,” McDermott admitted, referring to Bosa’s injury history, which contributed to his release from the Los Angeles Chargers earlier this year. “Durability and availability are crucial for us. Right now, he’s focused on treatment and doing what he can to recover. We’ll see him again likely at camp.”
The Bills signed Bosa in March to a one-year, $12.6 million deal, hoping he can bounce back and return to elite form. Bosa, who turns 30 in July, has missed significant time the past three seasons due to various injuries, playing in just 28 games while dealing with groin, foot, hip, and back problems. Despite that, his 72 career sacks still rank 10th in the NFL since 2016, though he’s only managed 14 over the last three years.
McDermott also noted that running back James Cook was the lone absence from voluntary workouts. Cook, entering his fourth season, tied for the league lead last year with 16 rushing touchdowns, matching a franchise record set by O.J. Simpson in 1975.
Cook has publicly expressed a desire for a contract extension, with his current deal set to expire after this season. However, general manager Brandon Beane stated in March that he was pausing negotiations with Cook to prioritize the draft. Since then, Beane has signed several other key players to long-term deals, including quarterback Josh Allen and receiver Khalil Shakir.
Cook has been training independently in Florida. McDermott said they’ve remained in contact and added, “James will return when he’s ready, and we’ll keep moving forward.”
