It looked for a stretch like Nick Bosa might be back in uniform for Week 7. Instead, the 49ers decided not to push it.
Bosa was ruled out for San Francisco’s matchup with the Atlanta Falcons after not practicing at all during the week, even though the week leading up to the game carried optimism about his return. That optimism had been fueled by Bosa himself, who told reporters in a locker room scrum ahead of Week 6 that he was hopeful for a Week 7 comeback after Kyle Shanahan suggested the defensive end could be ready as early as Week 6.
Shanahan addressed the shift on Friday and said the setback came after Bosa worked out following those comments.
”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.”
With a calf strain suffered while warming up for a Week 3 practice, the 49ers are clearly taking the cautious route. A soreness flare-up was enough to cool the plan, especially with turf on the schedule.
Rather than force the issue, San Francisco will let Bosa sit through Week 7 and use the Week 8 bye to buy him more time. That gives him two more weeks to get back to work without pain before returning.
Even without him, the 49ers have gotten solid production from their pass rush. Bosa has yet to register a sack in the first two games he played, but he did post seven tackles, two tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
In Other News...
49ers Enter Bye Week With A Defensive Surprise Fans Didn't See Coming
The bye week arrives with the 49ers still in a strong spot at 6-1, even after a recent loss, and the biggest reason has been a defense that has kept finding answers as the bodies have piled up. Injuries have forced San Francisco to lean on depth in a hurry, with absences affecting players such as Alfred Collins and CJ West, yet the unit has continued to hold its own and keep the team near the top of the standings.
What has made this stretch especially notable is how quickly some unexpected contributors have been pulled into meaningful roles. Odighizuwa has given the front a real boost, while Jaden Dugger and Gracen Halton have been asked to step in much earlier than anyone likely planned because of injuries and suspension-related gaps, and their emergence has helped soften the impact of all the moving parts. For a team trying to stay steady through the middle of the season, that kind of defensive depth could matter just as much as the record. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Could Have A Post-Bye Playing Time Shakeup Soon
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McCaffrey is hardly the only name in play. Shanahan pointed to a broad group of possible post-bye returnees, including Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, Nick Bosa, CJ West, Marques Sigle, Garret Wallow, Luke Gifford, and Upton Stout, which could force the 49ers into some real decisions on snaps and roles once the roster gets fuller again. For a team managing injuries across both sides of the ball, the bye could turn into more than a reset - it may bring a noticeable shuffle in who is on the field and how often. [Read more 🡒]
49ers Enter Bye With A Chance To Come Back Even More Dangerous
The 49ers head into their midseason bye with a one-loss record and the sense that they have put themselves in a strong position early in the 2026 season. After a fast start, this week off arrives at a useful time, giving the coaching staff a chance to let injured players heal, take a harder look at what has worked, and sort through the little issues that tend to matter more as the schedule tightens.
San Francisco has been good enough to expect more from itself, which is usually the point at this stage of the year. The next stretch will be about turning that solid foundation into something even sharper, with the staff working to tighten consistency, execution and efficiency on both sides of the ball before the season resumes. [Read more 🡒]