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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a calf injury during practice, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Bosa will miss Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals after sitting out practice Thursday. The 49ers are still deciding whether to place him on injured reserve, but the team is leaning against the move because of limited space for players to return later in the season.
The injury comes less than a year after Bosa suffered a torn ACL in his right knee against the Cardinals in Week 3 of the 2025 season. He returned for the start of the 2026 campaign and played 70 defensive snaps through the first two games while working his way back into form.
Bosa’s Calf Injury Adds to Defensive-Line Problems
Bosa appeared on the injury report Wednesday with a knee designation and was listed as a resting player. The 49ers added his calf to the designation Thursday, and he did not practice.
His latest injury adds to a growing list of problems along San Francisco’s defensive front.
The 49ers placed defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve this week, while defensive lineman Alfred Collins suffered a season-ending patellar tendon injury and Sam Okuayinonu is also on IR with a foot injury. Rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. is dealing with a high ankle sprain, while a broken hand has kept edge rusher Romello Height from practicing fully.
Mykel Williams also remains on the physically unable to perform list while recovering from a torn ACL. He cannot return to game action until Week 5 at the earliest.
49ers Weigh IR Options
Bosa’s potential placement on injured reserve creates another roster decision for San Francisco. Teams can designate only eight players to return from injured reserve, forcing the 49ers to weigh which injured players have the best chance to return during the season.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged the difficulty of managing those spots as the team deals with injuries across the roster.
“There’s a lot of variables there,” Shanahan said. “That’s why it’s not simple just to put everybody on IR return because then eventually you’re not going to get one back.”
If Bosa lands on IR, he would have to miss at least four games under league rules. San Francisco’s next four opponents after Arizona are the Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, with the schedule determining when he could return if the team makes that move.
49ers Must Rely on Defensive-Line Depth
Bosa’s absence leaves San Francisco with fewer experienced options on the edge. Keion White, Khalid Kareem and Ogbo Okoronkwo are among the available defensive ends, while Height could also have a chance to play against Arizona.
Bosa had seven combined tackles through the first two games of the season after returning from his ACL injury. The 2019 second overall pick has spent his entire career with San Francisco and has earned five Pro Bowl selections, along with Defensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
The 49ers will now hope Bosa’s calf injury heals quickly while they navigate an already depleted defensive front.
