Joey Bosa’s fresh start in Buffalo has hit an early snag. Just weeks after signing a $12 million, one-year deal with the Bills, the veteran edge rusher is already on the sidelines with a calf injury. Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed the news this week, saying Bosa won’t participate in Organized Team Activities and won’t return to the field until training camp kicks off in late July.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Bosa landed in Buffalo looking to prove he’s still one of the NFL’s most dangerous pass rushers. But instead of sharpening his game ahead of the season, he’s stuck nursing yet another injury. The 29-year-old turns 30 in July and is trying to rebound after three tough, injury-riddled seasons with the Chargers.

Bills linebacker Joey Bosa (Photo By Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

During early offseason workouts, Bosa pulled his calf muscle. McDermott didn’t hide the situation, and he expects Bosa to remain out until the team reports to training camp on July 24 in Rochester.

Buffalo is counting on Bosa to bring heat off the edge after parting ways with Von Miller earlier this offseason. The fit seemed promising. Bosa has 72 career sacks since entering the league in 2016, ranking him tied for tenth in that span. In recent seasons, he has struggled to stay healthy, missing time with groin, hip, foot, and back injuries. Over that stretch, he has played only 28 games and recorded just 14 sacks.

Despite the setback, there’s cautious optimism that Bosa can bounce back. His familiarity with the AFC West- specifically with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes- adds strategic value. Mahomes has become a postseason roadblock for Buffalo, improving to 4-0 against the Bills in the playoffs following Kansas City’s 32-29 win in January’s AFC Championship game.

Joey Bosa knows time isn’t on his side. This latest injury throws a wrench into his comeback plans, but the former Defensive Rookie of the Year has plenty of motivation. Whether his body cooperates is the bigger question. For now, Buffalo fans will have to wait to see if Bosa can turn this fresh start into the redemption arc he, and the Bills, are hoping for.