Nick Bosa is ruled out again as his comeback lasts just two games, Cardinals curse continues

Nick Bosa's long-awaited return to the San Francisco 49ers has hit another frustrating roadblock. The star defensive end suffered a calf injury during Thursday's practice and is expected to miss a few weeks, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Bosa will miss Sunday's Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, with the 49ers still determining whether he will be placed on injured reserve. The latest setback comes just two games into Bosa's return from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season after only three appearances.Nick Bosa had only just made his returnBosa entered the 2026 season after spending much of the previous year working his way back from the second ACL injury of his NFL career. The 49ers had been cautious with his workload throughout the offseason. San Francisco general manager John Lynch said before training camp that Bosa had been cleared to begin working his way back, while emphasizing that the team would gradually increase his workload during his recovery.That patience appeared to pay off when Bosa was available for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. He then played again in Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. According to the 49ers' official player log, Bosa recorded four tackles and three tackles for loss in Week 1 before adding three tackles against Miami in Week 2.Now, instead of building momentum after his comeback, Bosa is facing another spell on the sidelines. The calf issue surfaced only days before the 49ers were scheduled to face the Cardinals, the same team Bosa was playing against when he suffered his ACL injury last season.Bosa was initially listed as dealing with soreness during training camp and had been managed carefully as he returned from the ACL injury. This time, however, the injury is expected to keep him out for multiple weeks.The 49ers are reportedly considering injured reserve, although the team is leaning against that option at this stage. If Bosa is placed on IR, he would be required to miss at least four games.49ers' defensive line takes another hitBosa's absence is also significant because San Francisco is already dealing with injuries along its defensive front. The team has had several defensive linemen miss time, adding pressure on the remaining players to fill Bosa's role while he recovers. The 49ers' official injury report has also listed defensive linemen including Romello Height and James Thompson Jr. among players missing practice this week.For a defense built around Bosa's ability to generate pressure off the edge, replacing his production will be a major challenge. The five-time Pro Bowler remains one of the centerpiece players on San Francisco's defense, making even a short-term absence particularly significant.Bosa now faces another recovery processThere is no indication at this point that the calf injury is connected to another ACL problem, and the current reporting points to an absence of a few weeks, rather than a season-ending injury.That distinction is important given what Bosa has already gone through. He missed almost the entirety of the 2025 season after tearing his ACL in Week 3 and spent the offseason working toward his return. The 49ers had finally gotten their defensive star back on the field, only for another injury to interrupt his comeback after two games.For now, San Francisco will have to move forward without its premier pass rusher while Bosa focuses on getting back to full health.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.