The 49ers have yet another concerning injury update. During the game against the Arizona Cardinals, the team lost defensive end Nick Bosa early in the first quarter due to a knee injury. In the second quarter, it was announced that the player is questionable to return for the game. Fortunately, the injury isn’t that serious, as coach Kyle Shanahan shared during the press conference.

“Nick Bosa is believed to have avoided an ACL tear, but further tests will be done to determine the full extent of the injury, per Kyle Shanahan. Here’s hoping he’s avoided any additional damage that could sideline him long term,” the X post by IG: NFLPreme read. However, the coach didn’t dismiss the concern until the test results were out.

“They ruled out. No, we’re not sure,” coach Shanahan told the reporters. “I mean, there is concern because of how he feels. And, they do the tests and stuff on the sideline. And usually they say whether he definitely did or not, and they didn’t say that. But we are concerned with that. And keep our fingers crossed for the MRI or whatever he does.” Nick Bosa indeed gave the Bay Area a real scare on that third-and-9 when he planted his right leg awkwardly, got double-teamed, and limped straight to the sideline before disappearing into that dreaded blue tent.

Early signs say it’s not the worst-case scenario, no ACL tear, but with his history, nobody’s breathing easy. This is the same guy who lost almost all of 2020 to a torn ACL, so anytime he grabs his leg, you can feel an entire fan base stop in its tracks. Even Trent Williams admitted the locker room vibe crashed when the injury update came through. And it stung because Bosa had been on fire the first two weeks, setting the tone for a defense already thin on bodies.

“I first want to say my prayers are with the guys who went down in the game,” San Francisco All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner said. “[Cardinals running back] James Conner and then I’m hoping for the best for Nick.” Now, Bosa’s headed for more testing, likely an MRI, to see how bad it really is. There’s a little hope, but nothing solid yet about Week 4 or beyond. If he’s out, the depth chart gets real thin, real fast, and as much as the ‘next man up’ motto is thrown around, everyone knows you can’t replace the chaos Bosa brings. Still, the 49ers have rookie Mykel Williams (who had a brief injury scare himself), Bryce Huff, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Sam Okuayinonu next in line.

For a team struggling with injuries, including quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle, the rest of the players must step up. Nevertheless, in the game, the 49ers’ defense came together to hold the Cardinals to just 15 points. They limited them to 106 rushing yards and 154 passing yards, with the young players in particular stepping up. After the game, veteran linebacker Fred Warner had massive praise for those who didn’t give up.

“I think it speaks to the work that they’ve all put in and their maturity,” Warner told the reporters. “I’ve got to give it to them and the way that they’ve prepared, which has allowed them to come in and be ready for their moments. They don’t play like rookies. They’re coming in week in and week out, making these big-time plays, and we’re going to need them to continue to do so.”

While the players ensured that the team didn’t fall apart in Bosa’s absence, the DE’s parents ensured that they were present for their son.

Nick Bosa’s parents joined him in the locker room following his injury scare

Being well-versed in the football world and the risk of injuries didn’t help ease the family’s concern. As Lee Chan reported, Bosa’s parents quickly joined him in the locker room. The DE comes from a storied football family.

His father, John Bosa, who played with the Miami Dolphins back in 1987, spent only three years in the league due to knee injuries. He knows better than anyone about the risks of injuries, and that’s why he even tried to stop his sons from joining the sport. They tried to keep both Bosa and his brother, defensive end Joey Bosa (Buffalo Bills), away from the sport as long as they could.

“Their mom and I lost that fight,” John said (as per San Francisco Chronicle). “It was a miserable failure.” The two brothers loved the game, even if their dad’s career ended several years before they were born.

Their father never pushed or coached them for the sport. However, when they made it through the league, just like any father, he watched from the sidelines. But such injuries are understandably scary for John and Cheryl Bosa. Last year, Bosa dealt with several injuries to his hip and rib.

But this time, after a win in Week 3, there’s hope for the defensive end’s quick recovery, which could help bolster the defense when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Los Angeles Rams in the next weeks.