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It sounded in the lead up to Week 7 like San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa would return for the team’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. Then he was ruled out on the Friday injury report after not practicing at all during the week.
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Bosa in a locker room scrum with reporters in the lead up to Week 6 expressed optimism about a Week 7 return after head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Bosa may be back from a calf strain as early as Week 6. Shanahan on Friday spoke with reporters and offered an explanation for the change in Bosa’s projected status.
“No, I just think he was a little too optimistic, especially for Bosa because he’s pretty accurate,” Shanahan said. “He doesn’t say stuff like that unless it’s accurate. I just think it surprised him. He worked out, after he said that to you guys, and the next day he was just a little sore, which surprised all of us. That wasn’t a great sign, especially going to play on turf and stuff this week, so I think it was more he was just a little too optimistic.”
Given the nature of Bosa’s injury, a calf strain he suffered while warming up for a Week 3 practice, it makes sense the team is being extra cautious. It’s also easy to see how there could be an aggravation or setback.
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Instead of trying to rush Bosa back, the 49ers will give him Week 7 off leading up to the Week 8 bye. That gives Bosa two additional weeks to work out pain-free before returning to the field.
Bosa will help round out what’s been an effective 49ers pass rush this season. While he didn’t record a sack in the first two weeks, he did have seven tackles, two tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers HC explains why Nick Bosa didn’t return Week 7 despite optimism
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Reporting by Kyle Madson, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
This story was originally published October 27, 2026 at 5:30 AM.