San Franciso 49ers Nick Bosa, the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, left during the 49ers loss to the Seattle Seahawks after recording his second sack of the game in the third quarter. Bosa walked to the sidelines, and it was eventually revealed he suffered a new oblique injury, separate from the hip pointer he has been battling.
“It’s hip/oblique, and it’s his other hip, and he couldn’t return to the game, which means it was bothering him.” said coach Kyle Shanahan. “So we’ll see how he is tomorrow. Hopefully, it’s not too big of a deal, but that’s all we really know right now.”
Game-Changing Sack
With 9:26 left in the third quarter, Nick Bosa sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. Unfortunately, it is believed that during this play, Bosa injured his oblique, forcing him to leave the game after one more snap. Bosa was noticeably playing through some discomfort during the game.
Bosa delt with a right hip pointer and oblique issue all week leading up to the game. “I guess I was compensating,” Bosa explained. “I pushed through last week, and the same thing happened to my other oblique, so we’ll see what I’m feeling like tomorrow.”
bosas Impact on Seahawks’ Offense
Bosa’s presence had a significant effect on the Seahawks’ offensive production. While Bosa was playing, Seattle averaged only 3.3 yards per play. After Bosa left the game, the Seahawks’ offensive production increased dramatically to 6.1 yards per play. Geno Smith’s QB rush to put the Seahawks up with 12 seconds left occurred while Nick Bosa was not on the field.
“The most important time in the game for me to be out there, I wasn’t able to be.” said Nick Bosa. “I hate missing time. That’s why I pushed through last week, and hopefully, it’s not too long (that he’s out).”
– Nick Bosa
Uncertain Status
There’s significant uncertainty surrounding Bosa’s availability for upcoming games. When asked about his level of concern over missing future games, Bosa admitted, “It’s definitely there. I don’t know. I gotta see.”
Playoff Race Implications
The loss has the 49ers in an uphill battle to make the playoffs. The 49ers currently sit one game behind the Arizona Cardinals for first place in the NFC West.
If the 49ers are unable to win the division, they currently hold a 1-3 record against other NFC West teams, meaning they hold no tiebreaker. If it came down to that.
While the 49ers have had the most success of any NFC West team, several 49ers are injured or nursing injuries, including Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk, Talanoa Hufunga, Dre Greenlaw, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Nick Bosa.
With the team facing adversity such as injuries and a lack of scoring in the red zone, every game becomes crucial from this point forward. The 49ers upcoming schedule has them on the road against the Green Bay Packers (7-3) the Buffalo Bills (9-2).
Nick Bosa’s presence (or absence) will likely be a deciding factor in these matchups.
