SANTA CLARA — Defensive end Nick Bosa is optimistic he will soon be back in the 49ers’ lineup.
Bosa will not travel with his 49ers teammates for their Week 5 game against the Seattle Seahawks this weekend. But he told NBC Sports Bay Area on Friday he believes it is “pretty darn likely” he could be available for the team’s game Monday, Oct. 19, against the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium.
Bosa sustained a calf injury during his pre-practice warmup routine on Thursday, Sept. 24. He missed the past two games and was ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Seahawks.
Bosa missed most of last season due to a torn ACL in his right knee. The calf injury is to his left side.
The 49ers’ bye week is scheduled for Nov. 1, and Bosa said he believes he will be able to get back into games before the break.
“When we initially talked about the plan, that was in play because it was like, do I go to Atlanta if I’m not perfect, yet?” Bosa said of the possibility of remaining sidelined until after the bye week.
The 49ers travel to play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 25.
“But the fact that I’m already feeling like I could go out on Monday night and definitely not wait,” Bosa said. “Definitely Atlanta, possibly next week. Probably.”
Bosa said he was initially concerned the calf injury could be a long-term situation.
“I’ve never had a calf, so I didn’t really know,” he said. “They told me they’re pretty finicky sometimes, calves. But, actually, I checked with my brother (Joey), who had one last year in OTAs. He said three weeks, and he never even noticed it (after that).”
Nick Bosa said he has been during two-a-day running sessions and his normal lifts in the weight room. He said he felt as if he turned the corner with his recovery within the past few days.
“I’m feeling better and better,” he said.
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