San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), forcing him to miss the rest of the 2025/26 NFL season. The injury comes as a significant blow to the 49ers’ defense, which had already faced several key roster losses this offseason. With Bosa’s absence, the team must rely on younger players or depth options to fill the void in their pass-rushing corps.
Analysts and commentators, including Colin Cowherd and Albert Breer, have expressed concern over the 49ers’ growing list of injuries. Cowherd highlighted the challenge of rebuilding a defense without such a critical piece, while Breer questioned the team’s ability to maintain its competitiveness without Bosa’s presence on the field. The 49,ers have already had to deal with losses such as defensive tackle D.J. Jones and edge rusher Samson Ebukam, and Bosa’s injury adds to their list of setbacks.
The ACL injury is expected to sideline Bosa for at least 12 months, with full recovery potentially taking longer. The 49ers will need to develop their younger edge rushers, including first-round pick Jalen Reed, to step up and fill the void. With the season underway, the team’s ability to adapt to these challenges will be crucial to their success in the coming months. The 49ers will have to navigate this difficult period while preparing for the upcoming campaign, hoping to mitigate the impact of Bosa’s absence on their overall performance.