Where is Nick Bosa?
That was the query on everyone’s minds two weeks after the 49ers star edge rusher made the declaration that he would “definitely” be back for their recreation this Sunday in Atlanta.
Since his feedback two Fridays in the past, Bosa has yet to follow or even make an look during the parts open to the media. And on Friday, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Bosa’s confidence had been misplaced — he was dominated out against the Falcons.
“I just think he was a little too optimistic,” Shanahan said. “Especially for Bosa because he’s pretty accurate. He doesn’t say stuff like that unless it’s accurate. I just think it surprised him.”
Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers reacts against the Miami Dolphins during an NFL soccer recreation at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. Getty Images
Bosa had made it back from ACL surgical procedure to play in the 49ers’ first two video games, recording seven tackles but no sacks, but made a shock look on the damage report main into their Week 3 recreation against the Cardinals. He strained his calf while warming up before follow on Sept. 24 hasn’t practiced since.
Two weeks in the past, Bosa said that he was “feeling better and better” and that it was even “pretty darn likely” he could make it back in time for last Monday’s 23-17 win over the Commanders.
Now, the earliest the 49ers can expect to get Bosa back is Week 9, after their bye next week.
“He worked out after he said that and the next day he was just a little sore, which surprised all of us,” Shanahan said. “That wasn’t a great sign, especially going to play on turf this week.”
Although San Francisco will have to make do with out Bosa for at least one more recreation, Raheem Morris’ protection has been A-OK with out its star cross rusher. Despite zero sacks from Bosa, the 49ers are already three-quarters of the means to their league-last whole from last season.
The earliest the 49ers can expect to get Bosa back is Week 9
“I thought we’d have a chance to have a real good defense this year,” Shanahan said. “But when you lose six D-Linemen in the first two weeks, if you told me after that we’d still be a top-five defense going into Week 7, I would have been a little surprised.”
Rookies Romello Height and Gracen Halton, veteran acquisitions Osa Odighizuwa and Keion White, as nicely as practice-squad call-ups Sebastian Valdez and Ogbo Okoronkwo all have contributed a number of hits on quarterbacks, as nicely as mainstay Fred Warner.
“I think it’s a credit to everyone who has stepped it up,” Shanahan said. “It’s a credit to Raheem and the rest of those guys on the coaching staff. I’m real happy with how they’ve been working and playing and finding ways to win.”
Okoronkwo was launched Friday to clear a roster spot for receiver Christian Kirk, but the 49ers are expected to re-sign him to the follow squad and elevate him to the lively roster Sunday.