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While the organization is currently evaluating the severity of the injury, sources indicate that the team is leaning against placing Bosa on injured reserve. This decision is largely influenced by the 49ers' limited remaining spots for players to return from the IR list, a logistical challenge that head coach
Defensive Line Struggles Mount for San Francisco
Bosa’s absence compounds an already difficult situation for the 49ers' defensive front, which has been hit hard by injuries in the early stages of the season. The team has already placed defensive tackle C.J. West on injured reserve due to a knee issue, while defensive end Sam Okuayinonu and tackle Alfred Collins have also been sidelined with foot and patellar tendon injuries, respectively.
The injury report continues to grow with rookie defensive tackle James Thompson Jr. expected to miss three to six weeks with a high ankle sprain, and edge rusher Romello Height currently managing a broken hand. While coach Shanahan noted that Height has an outside chance of participating against the Cardinals, the depth of the roster is being severely tested.
Managing Personnel and Future Returns
With Bosa unavailable, the 49ers will look to Keion White, Khalid Kareem, and Ogbo Okoronkwo to anchor the defensive end position. The team is also monitoring the status of Mykel Williams, who remains on the physically unable to perform list. Williams is slated to return to practice next week following a torn ACL sustained last season, though he is ineligible to return to game action until the Week 5 contest against the Seattle Seahawks.
The timing of Bosa's injury is particularly notable, as the upcoming game against Arizona falls nearly one year after he suffered a torn ACL against the same opponent. Having played 70 snaps across the first two weeks of the season, Bosa had been managing his workload, initially appearing on the injury report with a knee designation before the calf issue emerged on Thursday.
