Nick Bosa injury fantasy impact: 49ers' star out for season with torn ACL

Despite initial reports hinting that he had avoided an ACL tear after being forced out of Sunday's 16-15 49ers' win over the Cardinals, defensive standout Nick Bosa is set to miss the remainder of the 2025 campaign after tearing his ACL, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

San Francisco has yet to make an official announcement on the full extent of Nick Bosa’s injury, but all signs point to the team moving ahead without their five-time Pro Bowl defender. As per Schefter, tests revealed what's being called a "clean" ACL tear. The focus now shifts to getting him back to full strength in time for the 2026 campaign.

It's the latest in a string of setbacks for a Niners squad that has seen key players sidelined almost weekly. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) went down in Week 1, followed by wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder, ankle) and guard Ben Bartch (ankle) in Week 2 against New Orleans.

Bosa's misfortune came late in the first quarter when he charged Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray off the edge. While locked up with left tackle Kelvin Beachum, he was hit by guard Evan Brown on a double team, sending him to the turf and ultimately out for the season.

This isn't the first time Nick Bosa has had to tackle such a grueling road back. He previously tore his left ACL just two games into the 2020 season. That setback didn't hold him down for long, as he came back the very next year to play all 17 contests and rack up an impressive 15.5 sacks. 

His recovery will again be closely tracked throughout the upcoming offseason. Even with this latest blow, Bosa should still be firmly in his prime when he turns 28 and takes the field for the 2026 campaign.

Nick Bosa turned heads in Week 2, piling up three solo tackles, six assists, a sack, and a stop behind the line. That brought his season totals to nine solos, six assists, two sacks, and four tackles for loss — numbers that kept him firmly among the top defensive linemen heading into Week 3.

Widely regarded as one of the league’s premier pass-rushers, his absence delivers a jolt to San Francisco's front seven. The 49ers did bolster the defensive line in the offseason with both rookies and veteran Bryce Huff, which could help soften the blow. Still, with Bosa now tearing the same ACL for a second time, questions naturally linger about his long-term durability.

The 49ers will host the Jaguars in Week 4 of the 2025 NFL season on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Levi's Stadium.