(Image via Getty: Nick Bosa)
Bosa will miss Sunday’s Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, with the 49ers still determining whether he will be placed on injured reserve. The latest setback comes just two games into Bosa’s return from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season after only three appearances. Bosa entered the 2026 season after spending much of the previous year working his way back from the second ACL injury of his NFL career. He then played again in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. Bosa recorded four tackles and three tackles for loss in Week 1 before adding three tackles against Miami in Week 2, according to the 49ers’ official player log.
Because san Francisco is already dealing with injuries along its defensive front, bosa’s absence is also significant.
The star defensive end suffered a calf injury during Thursday’s practice and is expected to miss a few weeks, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. San Francisco general manager John Lynch said before training camp that Bosa had been cleared to begin working his way back, while emphasizing that the team would gradually increase his workload during his recovery. Nick Bosa’s long-awaited return to the San Francisco 49ers has hit another frustrating roadblock. The 49ers had been cautious with his workload throughout the offseason. That patience appeared to pay off when Bosa was available for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Bosa was initially listed as dealing with soreness during training camp and had been managed carefully as he returned from the ACL injury. This time, however, the injury is expected to keep him out for multiple weeks. The 49ers are reportedly considering injured reserve, although the team is leaning against that option at this stage. If Bosa is placed on IR, he would be required to miss at least four games. The team has had several defensive linemen miss time, adding pressure on the remaining players to fill Bosa’s role while he recovers. The 49ers’ official injury report has also listed defensive linemen including Romello Height and James Thompson Jr. among players missing practice this week.
The calf issue surfaced only days before the 49ers were scheduled to face the Cardinals, the same team Bosa was playing against when he suffered his ACL injury last season.