News Article
Published
Oct 21, 2026 at 09:58 PM EDT
The San Francisco 49ers may just be the best team in the NFL, but their mounting injury issues will catch up to them eventually.
The team’s wide receiver corps has been ravaged in recent weeks with Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, De’Zhaun Stribling, and Demarcus Robinson all going down with various ailments.
The defensive side of the ball has also been hit hard by the injury bug as well.
defensive tackles Alfred Collins, CJ West, Sam Okuayinonu, edge-rushers Nick Bosa and Mikail Kamara, linebackers Nick Martin and Garret Wallow, cornerback Nate Hobbs, and safeties Marques Sigle and Darrick Forest are all either on injured reserve or have missed several weeks with their respective injuries.
Bosa can return any week now, but the 49ers have been bracing to be without him for several weeks after he suffered a calf injury during warm-ups a few weeks ago.
In the meantime, Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay believes San Francisco should add to its pass-rush pool by signing a five-time Pro Bowler who’s quite familiar with one of the team’s top players.
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“While San Francisco features a top-five defense, it hasn't generated pressure on a consistent basis," Kay wrote. "An extended absence from top edge-rusher Nick Bosa — who has been dealing with a calf injury since Week 2 — has hindered the team's ability to get after opposing quarterbacks.
“Considering how important pressure is in the modern NFL, especially against the elite passers teams inevitably come up against in the playoffs, the Niners would be wise to bolster their edge-rushing unit with one of the best available free agents: Joey Bosa.
“… Even at the age of 31 with a history of injury, Joey Bosa can still be a force. He tallied five sacks, nine tackles for a loss, 16 quarterback hits and a league-leading five forced fumbles in 15 games with the Buffalo Bills last year and could be a key rotational piece for San Francisco in the back half of 2026.”
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported weeks ago that Joey Bosa was leaning toward retirement, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be tempted to play again in the right situation.
Playing with his brother on a Super Bowl frontrunner where he won’t be relied on to play every down could be that perfect storm of temptation for him.