The San Francisco 49ers narrowly defeated the Arizona Cardinals 16-15 in Week 3 on September 21 at Levi’s Stadium, but the win came with a heavy blow. Nick Bosa exited the game with a knee injury.
Bosa’s injury adds to the 49ers’ mounting list of sidelined players, joining Brock Purdy and George Kittle just three weeks into the 2025 season. On September 22, the team received the worst possible news: Bosa will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, citing sources familiar with the situation, that Bosa is believed to have torn his ACL, a setback expected to end his season
Once the news came out that Bosa’s 2025 season is over, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky stated that the 49ers have depth at the defensive line, but none are at the level of the 27-year-old.
“I’d say one of the unanticipated bright spots has been the 49ers’ defense this season with Robert Saleh coming back,” Orlovsky said on the September 22 edition of “NFL Live.” “They’ve got depth with Mykel Williams, their first-round draft pick, and Bryce Huff, who they acquired from the Eagles. Good players, but they’re not Nick.
“Right now, this defense is giving up just 16 points a game, third in the NFL, and about 160 yards passing per game, which is top five. This was a group that was ascending, and it’s one of the reasons the 49ers are 3-0 and in first place. This is an enormous loss for this football team.”
49ers Defensive Line Takes a Major Hit
On the September 22 edition of “CBS Sports HQ,“ NFL analyst Damien Harris said the 49ers are taking a major blow without Bosa, losing the kind of steady pass rush that constantly keeps opponents on edge.
“When you talk about it from a health perspective, you just can’t afford to lose guys like this, and in particular Nick Bosa, because I know you got Fred Warner, I know you got other guys that play well for this defense,“ Harris said.
“You don’t go without Nick Bosa; you don’t go without the consistent pressure that he brings to the quarterback’s lap. You don’t go without the run presence that he has.”
49ers A Lot More With Nick Bosa Gone
Bosa not only puts pressure on opposing quarterbacks but also provides veteran leadership for the 49ers. His presence raises the level of play across the defense—something the team would feel the impact of if he were absent.
“He’s a leader on this team,“ Harris added. “Maybe not the most vocal, since we know he’s a quiet guy, but on the field, he’s like Micah Parsons—commanding attention and elevating everyone around him. The guys play better because they see him as the fearless leader they need to match.”
“That’s how you build a complete defense, instead of relying on just one star player. Losing someone like Nick Bosa, though, is tough—especially for an injury-plagued team like the San Francisco 49ers.”
With Bosa now gone for the season, it will be on other players to step up as the 49ers are still 3-0 and sit atop the NFC West division.