Rookie defensive end Nick Bosa is making good progress from a right ankle sprain and remains a possibility to be available when the 49ers open the regular season on Sept. 8 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“He really is healing at a really good rate. Week 1 is certainly in play,” 49ers general manager John Lynch said Wednesday on the KNBR Morning Show.
Toward the end of next week, the 49ers will have to disclose Bosa’s availability in terms of “probable” or “questionable.” For now, Lynch only could say that Bosa is ahead of schedule in his recovery from the sprain, which occurred when a teammate rolled onto his ankle during an Aug. 7 practice in Santa Clara.
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“He’s kind of exceeding where we thought he could be, so it’s definitely a possibility,” Lynch said of Bosa’s chances of being available to play in the first game of his rookie season.
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The 49ers selected Bosa with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. He got off to a strong start in training camp before sustaining the injury that will prevent him from suiting up for any games in the preseason.
“Knowing how much he means to this organization and how we’re looking at this as a long-term proposition, we’re not going to rush anything,” Lynch said. “And doing what he does, it’s one thing to be able to run out here, but doing it against a 330-pound man, turning and all the things a D-lineman has to do is another level. But I can say we’re very encouraged with the way it’s going with Nick.”