Nick Bosa Injury Update: Will He Play in Week 1 Against Rams?

Nick Bosa will start against the Rams in Australia.

Nick Bosa Injury Update: Will He Play in Week 1 Against Rams?

Nick Bosa (Image via IMAGO)

After a whirlwind of offseason and preseason, the San Francisco 49ers finally received some positive news on Monday. According to reports, All-Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa is ready to start in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Bosa started the 2025 season on a high note. In week one against the Seattle Seahawks, Bosa recorded six tackles and a fumble recovery, including the game-winning strip-sack. In the following week against Arizona, Bosa had 9 tackles and one sack.

The 49ers faced the Carolina Panthers in week three. Bosa recorded two tackles before suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Bosa tallied 17 total tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Bosa attended some of the Niners’ home games, cheering for his team from the VIP suite. During the offseason, there was much concern about whether the 28-year-old would recover enough to start against the 49ers in Australia’s first-ever NFL game. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris on Monday announced that Bosa will start against the Rams.

Oh, he’s going out there. Whatever you want to say, he’s going. He’ll be there. We’re not hiding that.

Raheem Morris said via Yahoo Sports

Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported that Bosa practiced on Monday. In the video clip posted by Barrows, Bosa can be seen taking the practice field wearing a brace above his knee.

Before making the trip to the land down under, Bosa teased his week one status.

Yeah, I mean, it’s one practice. But, yeah, I’m flying out there, I’m going to [ ] play.

Bosa told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area last Wednesday

Bosa further disclosed his process for staying in shape during rehab.

I’ve gotten a good amount of cardio work and I feel explosive.

Bosa said

But motoring through cardio isn’t enough to achieve peak NFL caliber athleticism. For that, sparring with teammates on the training pitches is the only option.

Once I throw pads on, that’s another aspect of it that I’ll get this week. But I think the wind comes pretty quickly for me. Once I get out there, once I get through the first drive, it just gets fun.

Bosa said

Besides Bosa, running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle also attended the Niners practice, according to Maiocco.

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Analyst predicts the Niners will reunite Nick Bosa with Joey Bosa

Bosa wasn’t the only defensive casualty last year. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner dislocated his ankle and missed 11 games. Without their two best players, the Niners’ defense struggled throughout the year.

Nick Bosa Injury Update: Will He Play in Week 1 Against Rams?
Nick Bosa (Image via IMAGO)

Per Pro Football Focus, the Niners boasted the 20th-best defense last season. They allowed 21.8 points per game (13th best) in the regular season.

Both Warner and Bosa are nearing full fitness. That being said, the Niners could strengthen their D-line by adding veteran reinforcement. Matt Barrows believes that the Niners could target either Leonard Floyd or Bosa’s older brother, Joey Bosa, in free agency.

Nick Bosa, who’s coming back from his third ACL repair, missed most of training camp while 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams will start the season on PUP. Meanwhile, third-round pick Romello Height has been in and out of the lineup with various nicks and bumps and has merely looked OK when he’s been on the field. All of which suggests that at some point the 49ers will look to add a free agent like Leonard Floyd or Joey Bosa or perhaps make a splashy trade at the Nov. 10 deadline.

Barrows wrote

Joey Bosa spent the 2025 season in Buffalo. The 5x Pro Bowler had an average year. He recorded 29 tackles and 5 sacks. Meanwhile, Leonard Floyd was part of the Atlanta Falcons’ setup, learning from Raheem Morris before getting fired. In 15 starts, Floyd added 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

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