Nick

Bosa

Roughly two months ago, 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters that both players were expected to return sometime “around” training camp, so today’s report confirms that they generally remain on track. We do not yet know when they are expected to be full-go, though, so things are still a little fluid. Bosa, 28, suffered a torn ACL on September 21st. Williams, 21, reportedly hyperextended his knee on August 7th and later tore his ACL as well on November 2nd.

The 49ers did a simple restructure on Bosa’s contract, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, creating $17.1 million in cap space. The 28-year-old defensive lineman is still due $23.1 million this season while his cap hits in 2027 and 2028 are now over $100 million combined. Bosa played just three games in 2025 after tearing his ACL in the first month of the season, but is expected to be available sometime around training camp.

The news comes straight from 49ers general manager John Lynch, though the 49ers’ injury updates have been less than reliable over the past 18 months. Bosa, 28, tore an ACL on September 21. Williams, a 21-year-old first-round rookie, tore his on November 2. The 49ers are a candidate to bring in more EDGE depth in the draft or late free agency given how much injury uncertainty they’ll carry there in 2026.

Bosa’s surgery will be performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the same doctor who repaired his ACL during the 2020 season. The star pass-rusher’s season is over, but there’s hope that a “clean” tear will make for an easy procedure and recovery for the 27-year-old vet. Bosa’s 2020 ACL tear occurred in Week 2, and he was able to rehab in time to be ready for Week 1 of the following season. Hopefully, he can see a similar recovery timeline entering 2026.

The 49ers had optimism last night, but this is a devastating blow. The injury is to Bosa’s right knee, which he also tore as a senior in high school. San Francisco was getting by with Bosa and some blitz packages, but now has no obvious source of pressure on the roster. Bryce Huff could be elevated beyond his situational role as the 49ers try to pick up the pieces on defense. It’s a major downgrade for their D/ST and will make their playoff climb a little steeper, even at 3-0.

Shanahan won’t fully rule out an ACL injury, saying that there “is concern because of how he feels,” but noted that tests don’t indicate an ACL injury. The veteran pass rusher exited in the first half of Sunday’s win over the Cardinals to be evaluated and didn’t return to the field. Shanahan said the team is hoping for “good news tomorrow,” which is when we would expect to learn more about where things stand.

Bosa went down in the first half and left to be evaluated by the medical staff. He was spotted giving a fan a thumbs-down before heading for the locker room. The team initially listed him as questionable to return but ruled him out after halftime. Fellow 49ers EDGE Mykel Williams left with a wrist injury but returned after a brief stay on the sidelines.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan “hopes” Bosa will be back next week, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. The 49ers’ defensive line is a little banged up. Defensive line rookies, DL Mykel Williams and DT CJ West, both recently hyperextended their knees. Hopefully, all three get fully healthy in time for Week 1.

Bosa has evidently swapped out a hip injury and bilateral oblique strains for a knee injury and the 6-10 49ers have nothing to play for this week. It is difficult to predict whether or not Bosa will push to play but he appears to be on the wrong side of questionable at this time.

Bosa played through the pair of injuries and a questionable tag last week. We fully expect him to do so this week as well. The banged-up EDGE has been effective when on the field this year, tallying seven sacks and 10 TFLs in 11 appearances.