It was a tense moment for 49ers fans on Sunday when star defender Nick Bosa walked off the field, signaling to the crowd with a thumbs-down gesture after hurting his knee.
The gesture alone told supporters what they feared—this was no minor setback.
Injury Strikes Early in the Game
The 27-year-old edge rusher went down in the first quarter during a play against Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray.
As two Arizona linemen forced him away from the passer and onto the turf, Bosa was left in visible pain.
Moments later, he was seen lying on the ground as trainers rushed in to provide medical attention.
Eventually, San Francisco ruled him out for the rest of the game with a knee injury.
While head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed it wasn’t an ACL tear, the uncertainty still left fans uneasy about how long Bosa might be sidelined.
49ers Facing a Wave of Injuries
Bosa’s absence is only the latest in a string of blows to the 49ers’ lineup.
Quarterback Brock Purdy missed the matchup due to a sprained left shoulder and turf toe.
Wide receiver Jauan Jennings was also out with shoulder and ankle problems, while tight end George Kittle has been sidelined since Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
The team is already struggling to cope without its key players, and losing Bosa, even temporarily, could make their uphill battle even tougher.
A Star With Political Spotlight
Beyond his play on the field, Bosa has been no stranger to headlines.
Last year, he caught national attention after celebrating a sack with Donald Trump’s signature “Trump dance.”
The former president even posted on Truth Social praising him, writing, “NICK BOSA IS A GREAT PLAYER.”
Bosa has openly shown his support for Trump in the past, including wearing a MAGA hat during a televised postgame appearance.
That move, however, cost him a $11,255 fine from the NFL for breaking its rule against political messaging.
One of the League’s Top Pass Rushers
Since being drafted out of Ohio State in 2019, Bosa has built a reputation as one of the NFL’s most feared pass rushers.
His 64.5 sacks rank fourth in the league during that stretch, behind only T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, and Trey Hendrickson.
This season, Bosa was already making his mark with two sacks in the first two games before Sunday’s injury halted his momentum.
For the 49ers, the hope now is that their defensive cornerstone can recover quickly and get back on the field before the season’s challenges pile up any further.