The San Francisco 49ers’ entire roster has been banged up by injuries all season long. It has not hindered head coach Kyle Shanahan’s group though, as they are entering Week 6 as one of the NFL’s last undefeated teams.
San Francisco has opened the year with five consecutive wins and quarterback Brock Purdy is firmly in the MVP conversation.
Their defense has still been a major strength, allowing the third-fewest points per game in the league, holding opponents to just 18.6 per contest. Only the Minnesota Vikings and Jacksonville Jaguars have been better.
But the 49ers have been doing it recently without one of their best players, as five-time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa has not played since Week 2.
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Bosa suffered a left calf injury during practice and has missed three straight games. He was not placed on injured reserve because the 49ers already have so many other players on IR, and because he was not guaranteed to miss the minimum four games required if placed there.
He had been recovering well, but he did not do enough to suit up and has officially been ruled out for Week 6 and will miss Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders. Mykel Williams will have to continue to step up in his absence.
Shanahan explained the reasoning for keeping Bosa on the sidelines despite the progress he has made.
“We were going to make sure his calf was fully good, and another week will help,” Shanahan said, via Harrison Rich of The San Francisco Chronicle.
Shanahan also added that the team would have been surprised if Bosa had suited up and that they always planned on him sitting out.
Given where the 49ers are in the standings and how many other defensive players are already sidelined, being extra cautious with Bosa makes complete sense. He should be back at full strength in Week 7.
