One San Francisco 49ers defensive star will not play in Monday night’s game against the Washington Commanders. Head coach Kyle Shanahan ruled defensive end Nick Bosa out on Saturday.
Bosa, a five-time Pro Bowler and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, injured his calf in San Francisco’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins and has not played since.
“We would have been pleasantly surprised if he could go this way, so I was pleasantly surprised that he was that optimistic last week, but we still would have been surprised,” Shanahan said. “This is kind of what we were expecting. There was a chance. He wasn’t wrong when he said it, and I think he felt that way, but we were going to make sure it was fully good, and another week will help.”
Even without Bosa, the undefeated (5-0) 49ers have the NFL’s No. 6 defense. They are No. 4 in pass defense, allowing opponents to pass for just under 200 yards per game. San Francisco is ranked 11th in run defense, allowing 97.6 rushing yards per game. Finally, the Niners allow 18.6 points per game, which is No. 3 in the NFL.
The 49ers have relied on a group effort to replace Bosa's sack production. Ten players have recorded at least a half sack, with Keion White leading the way with three.
The 49ers’ first-year defensive coordinator, Raheem Morris, was fired as the Falcons’ head coach after last season. He replaced Robert Saleh, who left to become the Titans’ head coach.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 49ers to be without star defender vs Commanders on Monday Night Football