There have been two constants so far this season for the San Francisco 49ers: The team has won games pretty consistently, and the team has lost players to injuries pretty consistently.
It all started with quarterback Trey Lance suffering a season-ending ankle injury in Week 2, and it continued on Sunday when Jimmy Garoppolo injured his foot, costing him the balance of the season.
As the 49ers prepare to host Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 14, another key player – pass rusher Nick Bosa – is also banged up.
#49ers injury updates:
DT Hassan Ridgeway (pec strain) 6 to 8 weeks
S Tarvarius Moore (knee sprain) a few weeks
DE Nick Bosa (hamstring irritation) managed during week
QB Jimmy Garoppolo still having tests on season-ending foot injurty— Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) December 5, 2022
This is a potentially concerning ailment for someone who may be the most important part of their defense, which is the best in the NFL.
Losing Bosa Would Be A Huge Blow
Perhaps Bosa isn’t the best pass-rusher in the league, but it’s hard to say anyone is better than him right now.
He’s leading the NFL in sacks with 14.5 to go along with 15 tackles for loss and 34 quarterback hits.
At this point, it looks like Bosa is the leading candidate for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Nick Bosa, Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner 😤 pic.twitter.com/UJnah8RI7u
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) December 5, 2022
His ability to pressure opposing signal-callers makes everyone else’s job on defense easier, as someone such as safety Talanoa Hufanga can take more risks and aim for more interceptions.
Bosa will definitely be needed on Sunday, as Brady is still a threat, even if he isn’t what he used to be in his prime or even what he was two years ago.
The Seattle Seahawks are just one game behind San Francisco, and the team needs to keep the pressure on to hold onto first place in the NFC West.
NEXT: 2 QB's The 49ers Should Inquire About For A Trade
