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49ers Fans Will Feel Relief After Kyle Shanahan's Comments on Nick Bosa

This is the second time Nick Bosa has torn his right ACL, which sparks concern for his comeback.
Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs on the field before game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan runs on the field before game against the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

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Tearing an ACL is nothing new for Nick Bosa and the San Francisco 49ers.

This happened five years ago in 2020, and Bosa was able to bounce back strong the following year. However, Bosa tore his ACL in his left knee that time.

This time around, it is his right ACL, which he has torn before in high school. Tearing the ACL in the same knee has sparked concern for Bosa's comeback.

That concern was brought up to Kyle Shanahan on Wednesday at his press conference, where he provided relieving comments to quell any concern regarding Bosa's comeback.

Kyle Shanahan provides relief for 49ers fans for Nick Bosa's comeback

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97)
Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) on the field during warm ups prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images | Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

"I think there's zero worry or correlation between the three," said Shanahan. "I mean, this one from what they say is as clean as anyone you can do. I mean, just pure ACL and nothing else. The other ones, they've all been five years apart.

"I had a buddy who tore one in high school, tore two in college and then played eight years in the NFL without one. I think Frank Gore's done it a number of times. So, it's all about how it heals and what type of tear it is. When it's clean and you go through the rehab and stuff it's usually brand new after that.” 

This should make a lot of 49ers fans feel at ease. Tearing an ACL the first time is already cause for concern with how a player will look when they return.

But to tear the ACL in the same knee twice increases the worry. Thankfully, Bosa didn't suffer any other damage to his right knee besides the ACL.

 San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97)
Jun 11, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) participates in a pass rush drill during a team OTA at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

That's been the point of emphasis from Shanahan since Bosa's ACL tear was confirmed. Because it was just that, there isn't a worry.

On a sidenote, it is eyebrow-raising that he says that since Brandon Aiyuk is on the mend from a torn ACL and MCL. Maybe there's internal worry with Aiyuk? But I digress.

There should be little to no worry with Bosa. He's elite when it comes to body maintenance. And since this is his third ACL tear, he knows the steps he has to take to get himself back into elite form.

Of course, this can all change in the next six to nine months when he gets cleared to hit the field for rehab. Nevertheless, Bosa is a player you bet on bouncing back from this with utmost confidence.


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Jose Luis Sanchez III
JOSE SANCHEZ

Jose Luis Sanchez III has covered the San Francisco 49ers daily for FanNation since 2019. He started off as the lead publisher for FanNation's All49ers, then switched positions to become the Deputy Editor in 2020. Sanchez writes, edits, and produces videos daily for All49ers. He also co-hosts a show on YouTube with All49ers lead publisher Grant Cohn weekly. Prior to FanNation, Sanchez started his writing career back in 2016 for the school newspaper at Skyline college where he covered all sports team in the Bay Area. Following that from 2017 to 2019, he found a role as a contributor for FanSided's news desk along with their site's Just Blog Baby covering the Las Vegas Raiders and Golden Gate Sports every professional Bay Area sports team. Atop all of that, he was able to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Communication Studies at San Francisco State University in 2020. Sanchez is committed to ensuring he delivers transparent analysis and straightforward opinions that resonates with readers to get them thinking.

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