The 49ers have dealt with several availability concerns, and losing their star pass rusher creates another challenge for a defense that depends heavily on his ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.

The injury also raises questions about how long San Francisco will have to play without Bosa. Although the defensive end is expected to miss multiple weeks, the team has not placed him on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility of a return before the minimum absence that designation would require.

What happened to Nick Bosa?

Nick Bosa suffered a calf injury during Thursday’s practice, leaving the 49ers without their defensive leader for the matchup against Arizona. The injury occurred during preparations for Week 3, and the team has not provided a specific timetable for his return. For now, San Francisco will have to adjust its defensive rotation while monitoring his recovery.

The biggest question is how many games Bosa will miss. The current expectation is that the defensive star will be sidelined for several weeks, although his exact recovery timeline remains uncertain. His absence could significantly affect the 49ers’ pass rush, particularly as the team continues dealing with injuries across the roster.

Despite the expected absence, San Francisco has not placed Bosa on injured reserve. ESPN insider Adam Schefter confirmed that decision. “49ers have decided not to place DE Nick Bosa on injured reserve, per league source. Bosa pulled his calf muscle at Thursday’s practice and now is expected to miss few weeks – but avoid IR.”

Key takeaways

• Nick Bosa will miss Week 3 against Arizona after suffering a calf injury.
• The defensive end pulled a muscle during Thursday’s practice preparing for the game.
• San Francisco chose not to place him on injured reserve, avoiding IR.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that Bosa pulled his calf during practice and is expected to miss a few weeks. “Five-time Pro-Bowl DE Nick Bosa pulled his calf during Thursday’s practice and now is expected to miss ‘a few weeks’, including Sunday’s game vs the Cardinals, sources tell me and Ina Rapoport. The team is figuring out whether or not Bosa needs to be placed on injured reserve.”

The latest setback is especially concerning given Bosa’s injury history. He missed most of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL, and his return had been an important boost for San Francisco’s defense to begin the new campaign. Now, the team will have to find a way to generate pressure without one of its most important defensive players.

What happened to Nick Bosa with 49ers?

Nick Bosa suffered a calf injury at practice with the 49ers and Schefter also highlighted the number of defensive linemen San Francisco has lost over the past two weeks. Bosa is the sixth player at the position to suffer an injury during that stretch, creating another challenge for head coach Kyle Shanahan and the defensive staff.

The group includes Alfred Collins, who suffered a season-ending torn patellar tendon; Sam Okuayinonu, who broke his foot; James Thompson Jr., who sustained a high-ankle sprain; Romello Height, who broke his hand; and C.J. West, who is dealing with a bone chip in his knee. Bosa’s calf injury adds another significant name to that list.

The 49ers have already been forced to adjust their defensive line rotation, and Bosa’s absence could put even more pressure on the remaining healthy players. San Francisco will now have to determine whether to place him on injured reserve while preparing for Sunday’s matchup against Arizona.

For a team that endured a difficult injury-filled 2025 season, the early weeks of 2026 are beginning to bring familiar concerns. Bosa’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, but the 49ers will be without their star pass rusher for at least the immediate future as they try to keep their season on track.

Key takeaways

• Nick Bosa is expected to miss several weeks after suffering a calf injury.
• The defensive end pulled his muscle during Thursday’s practice and misses Sunday’s game.
• San Francisco lost six defensive linemen to injuries over the past two weeks.

“Oh, he’s going out there. Whatever you want to say, he’s going. He’ll be there. We’re not hiding that,” the defensive coordinator said, via Harrison Rich of the San Francisco Chronicle.

The Bay Area team’s season opener will be anything but easy. Not only will they face one of the teams that has made the strongest additions this offseason, but unfortunately, they also enter the matchup without their best physical condition at several key positions on the roster.

Bosa is a cornerstone of San Francisco’s defense, and it will be crucial for him to maintain the elite level of play that has established him as one of the league’s top defenders. Will he be able to make an impact from the very first snap when the ball gets rolling in Melbourne?

What injury has been plaguing Bosa?

It was a huge blow for the 49ers back in Week 3 of the 2025 season, when Nick Bosa tore the ACL in his right knee during a matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. He planted his foot awkwardly while rushing the passer in the middle of a play, immediately going down in obvious pain and needing help to leave the field.

An MRI confirmed the dreaded season-ending diagnosis the next day, forcing San Francisco’s star edge rusher into surgery and a long rehab process that kept him sidelined for the rest of the year. During his recovery, he developed patellar tendinitis (pain and swelling in the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone) in that same knee.

49ers begin their 2026 season journey

Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers kick off their 2026 NFL regular season on Thursday, September 10, in a historic matchup against their division rivals, the Rams. It’s an international showdown hosted at the massive Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. Prime-time kickoff for US fans is set for 8:35 PM ET.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday and reported that offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told reporters Kittle was “looking good,” providing the strongest public indication yet that the star tight end could suit up in Melbourne alongside Bosa.

“Nick Bosa ready to go while #49ers OC Klay Kubiak tells reporters George Kittle is looking good as well. Two key players on track to play on Thursday. Or Friday. Whatever.” Kittle participated in the 49ers’ first Melbourne practice Monday, including individual work, as San Francisco prepared for Thursday night’s opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

What happened to George Kittle

The seven-time Pro Bowl selection tore his right Achilles tendon on Jan. 11 during San Francisco‘s 23-19 road victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card game. He underwent surgery three days later, and the 49ers activated him from the injured list on Aug. 23 before the trip to Australia.

A Week 1 appearance would put the veteran tight end back on the field roughly eight months after the injury. Kubiak’s update, however, does not represent an official injury designation or guarantee that Kittle will handle his usual workload.

Bosa’s return

The same update also brought encouraging news regarding pass rusher Nick Bosa. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Bosa will play despite managing patellar tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee. Bosa did not participate in the open team portion of Monday’s practice.

49ers fans can feel a sense of relief knowing that Kittle, one of their most vital players, is close to returning. Joined by Bosa — whose status was previously clouded by uncertainty — both are expected to play despite lingering discomfort.

Thankfully, on Sunday, the team got a positive update regarding the star’s status moving forward. “Nick Bosa is running well on the side, with D-line and other position drills underway. No support sleeve on right ACL,” reported Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group on X.

Many concerns were raised after reports of Bosa’s knee issue emerged last week. As Inman referenced, Bosa missed the majority of last season with an ACL tear, one of many devastating injuries San Francisco 49ers suffered throughout the year, including an NFL season-ending injury to star linebacker Fred Warner.

Bosa’s return

All-Pro defensive end Nick Bosa was back on the practice field for the first time in over two weeks as he deals with tendinitis in his knee. The edge rusher was seen doing work off to the side, a sign that he is trending in the right direction.

San Francisco 49ers fans can let out a sigh of relief as one of the team’s defensive stars appears to be making favorable progress. Head coach Kyle Shanahan provided good news, stating that Bosa was listed as week-to-week due to the latest setback in his surgically repaired knee.

“Pretty normal thing with ACLs,” Shanahan said earlier this month. “Gotta be smart and be week-to-week. No concerns about it being more than that.” Bosa sustained a torn ACL in Week 4 against the New York Jets, which effectively ended his 2025 campaign. He was one of many 49ers stars to suffer a season-ending injury last season.

The Niners are less than a month away from the season opener on Sept. 10 against Los Angeles Rams in Australia, but there is still time for Bosa to be ready for the showdown. In 2025, the 49ers finished last in sacks with 20. A healthy Bosa would certainly increase that number, and San Francisco needs its defensive star if the team hopes to keep up with the rest of the NFC West.

“Just soreness, tendinitis,” Shanahan said during his press conference. “It’s a pretty normal thing with ACLs. Talking to our guys, they say it happens with about 90 percent of the [time]. So, it’s a normal thing. We’ve got to be smart here week to week, but no concerns about it being any more than that.”

With Mykel Williams on the PUP list, it will be key for Shanahan to have Bosa available from Day 1 of next season. To achieve that, caution regarding his recovery is a top priority.

Nick Bosa’s lengthy layoff

Nick Bosa suffered a serious knee injury during a September 21, 2025 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, ultimately undergoing surgery on September 26 to repair a torn ACL. The setback derailed his campaign and underscored his recent durability challenges, as the 28-year-old star has not posted a double-digit sack season since 2023—the last time he managed to appear in all 17 regular season games.

In fact, Bosa has played in just 17 total games over the past two seasons combined, recording 11 sacks during that stretch as he works to regain his status as one of the NFL‘s premier edge rushers.

San Francisco’s upcoming games

Kyle Shanahan’s San Francisco 49ers will kick off their 2026 preseason action at home on Thursday, August 13, hosting the Tennessee Titans at Levi’s Stadium. Following their opener, the 49ers hit the road for back-to-back exhibition road tests against AFC West opponents, traveling to face the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Thursday, August 20, before closing out their preseason slate against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Thursday, August 27.

The 49ers must avoid more injuries

The 49ers saw their 2025 season severely impacted by major injuries to several of their foundational stars. Fred Warner suffered a season-ending fractured and dislocated ankle against Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while George Kittle was sidelined early with a hamstring strain before suffering a torn Achilles in the postseason.

Additionally, Christian McCaffrey dealt with persistent calf and leg issues that limited his effectiveness, leaving San Francisco without its key playmakers for crucial stretches of the year.

Bosa apparently wasn’t happy with comments made by Clark, the now-former ESPN analyst, back in 2024. Clark had called out Bosa, telling him to shut up and play. That seems to have been the trigger for Bosa being more than happy about Clark’s firing.

“I’m just waiting for all the people who comment under political and sports things to shut up and dribble or to shut up and play football, to tell him to shut up and rush,” Clark said on The Pivot back in October 2024.

Mixed reactions to Bosa’s post

Fans responding to Bosa’s post had mixed reactions. Some backed the 49ers pass rusher, while others criticized him, believing he was targeting the Black community by celebrating Clark’s firing. However, it’s worth remembering that Clark had previously called for critics to go after Bosa in 2024 after Bosa wore a MAGA hat during a teammate’s postgame interview.

“Hahahahahahahaha. I envy the roll out you get by just posting an ok symbol. People are nuts. They dont realize or care to realize the truth. They are so shallow all they can do is look at skin color and think that has to be it. Not realizing they are looking very shallow,” fan Chuck King wrote in reply to Bosa’s post.

To be clear, the actual reason ESPN fired Clark doesn’t have anything directly to do with Bosa or that 2024 drama. While ESPN hasn’t given an official reason, The Athletic reported his departure may have been due to his behavior during shows.

How long was Clark at ESPN, and what was his salary?

Ryan Clark worked at ESPN for 11 years, having originally joined the network in 2015 following his retirement from the NFL. At the time of his departure, his estimated salary was more than $2 million per year, a deal he negotiated in early 2024 that placed him among the network’s top-paid NFL analysts.

Last week, very few expected them to eliminate the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. In fact, during that game, they suffered another heavy blow, losing tight end George Kittle to an Achilles injury.

However, Brock Purdy is still on track to reach the Super Bowl and now faces a huge challenge visiting the Seattle Seahawks. Another chapter in the great NFC West rivalry, in which, as has been the case all year, the 49ers will be without several stars.

Why is Fred Warner not playing today for 49ers against Seahawks in 2026 NFL playoffs?

Fred Warner is not playing today for the 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks because the linebacker has not recovered from his ankle injury. Although he practiced several times during the week, he is still not at 100 percent. While there is a slim chance he could return if San Francisco clinch a ticket to the NFC Championship Game, the most realistic outlook is that Warner may be available for the Super Bowl.

Why is Nick Bosa not playing today for 49ers vs Seahawks in Divisional Round of 2026 NFL playoffs?

Nick Bosa is not playing today with the 49ers against the Seahawks because he suffered an ACL injury in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. Since then, the star defensive player has been officially out for the rest of the season.

A month ago, the 49ers placed Brandon Aiyuk on the reserve/left squad list. The team cited a knee issue for the wide receiver, and the move officially ended his participation for the remainder of the season.

As for Nick Bosa, he suffered a torn ACL four months ago and underwent surgery to repair it. The injury immediately sidelined him for the entire 2025 NFL season, though he is expected to be ready for the 2026 campaign.

The 49ers appear done with Brandon Aiyuk

The relationship between the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk now appears to be completely fractured. According to reports, placing him on the reserve list sent a clear message that the organization may be ready to move on from the wide receiver.

Aiyuk originally suffered a torn ACL during the 2024 NFL season. While he returned in 2025, NFL Media reported that he was not in the best mindset during his comeback and remained distant throughout his rehabilitation process.

Rumors suggest this situation was the final breaking point for San Francisco. Ahead of the 2026 offseason, the 49ers are reportedly preparing to part ways with Aiyuk. Trading him is viewed as the primary option, though releasing him has not been ruled out.

Will Nick Bosa return with the 49ers in 2026?

At the beginning of the 2025 NFL season, Nick Bosa suffered one of the most devastating injuries a football player can face. He tore his ACL and immediately underwent surgery, with his recovery timeline pointing toward the 2026 preseason.

According to NFL Media, Bosa is expected to return to the 49ers in 2026. He still has three years remaining on the contract extension he signed in 2023, and San Francisco is hopeful their star pass rusher will be ready for the start of the upcoming season.

Now they will have to face the postseason playing practically all of their games on the road after a devastating schedule in which they have been hit by many injuries. For example, the 49ers lost early Nick Bosa and also had to deal with the contract controversy of Brandon Aiyuk.

However, the hope of playing a Super Bowl in Santa Clara still exists for Kyle Shanahan. The first obstacle will be to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round.

What happens if 49ers lose today against Eagles in 2026 playoffs?

If the 49ers lose today against the Eagles in the 2026 NFL playoffs, they will be eliminated. That would end any aspirations they had of being one of the few teams to play a Super Bowl at home.

What happens if 49ers beat Eagles in playoffs?

If the 49ers defeat the Eagles, they will advance to the Divisional Round as the No. 6 seed. That would mean their next opponent would be the Seahawks on the road. There is no other possible scenario than going to Seattle.

What happens if 49ers and Eagles tie today in playoffs?

If the 49ers and Eagles tie in the 2026 playoffs, the game would have to go to overtime. It is important to remember that under the new NFL rules, each team must have possession of the ball at least once. This would only be avoided if the defense scores a safety on the first drive.

What happens if Eagles lose today to 49ers in 2026 playoffs?

If the Eagles lose against the 49ers, they will be officially eliminated, opening a very interesting debate about the future of Nick Sirianni as head coach. After many controversies between Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown, the wide receiver could also be on his way out with a loss.

The starts to the NFL campaign couldn’t be any more different for the Niners and Phins. While San Fran manages to escape with close wins even without Purdy, Miami can’t secure a victory, and Tua’s leash is only getting shorter. Still, stranger things have happened, and the two opposite-coast organizations might become trade partners sooner or later.

San Francisco has a major hole to fill in its defensive front-seven after losing Bosa for the remainder of the season to a torn ACL. Miami is headed for the league’s basement, and the garage sale might open up down in South Florida. If that happens, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips is believed to be a player drawing significant attention in Vice City.

According to reports from Pro Football Network, Phillips could be just what the doctor ordered for a team like the 49ers. However, it might engage in a competition with other sides like the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

California dreaming

Born in Redlands, California (in the outskirts of San Bernardino), joining the Niners might be a dream come true for the former first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Phillips already lived out one big aspiration when he was drafted by the Dolphins after playing his final year of college for the Miami Hurricanes. However, prior to his stint in Coral Gables, the outside linebacker had played for the UCLA Bruins in his home state. Now, an unparalleled opportunity to return home might be presenting itself to the 26-year-old defender.

Starkly different realities

Moreover, it seems the championship window has closed in Miami. Meanwhile, if the 49ers can weather the storm, who’s to say what the ceiling is for the organization in the Golden State? Like buildings in San Francisco, perhaps the Niners are built to bend and not break. However, that will be put to the test as they face a tough schedule with key injuries in nearly every area.

It’s still early in the 2025 NFL season, though. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins aren’t giving up just yet, with 14 games left to be played. However, if Miami continues its downward spiral, the Niners would be wise to dial up the 305 area code and work out a deal with the Dolphins.

As for Miami, parting ways with a homegrown draft pick is far from ideal. Especially when it comes to one of the few first-round selections the Dolphins actually got right in recent years. Still, Phillips has yet to sign an extension ahead of his rookie deal expiring this offseason.

In a way, tossing in the towel now might be better than watching Phillips walk as a free agent after the season ends. Frankly, Miami’s year could be over long before that.