Nick Bosa makes eye-opening admission after first full practice since ACL tear

San Francisco 49ers star Nick Bosa finally received the kind of test he had been waiting for Wednesday.

For the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee during Week 3 of the 2025 season, Bosa participated fully in practice, taking part in individual work and team periods as the 49ers continue preparing for their Sept. 10 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year emerged encouraged by how his knee responded.

“I felt great,” Bosa said, describing the session as “very encouraging.”

Bosa stopped short of guaranteeing he will face the Rams, but Wednesday’s progress appears to have increased his confidence about being available.

“After today, yeah, that was pretty good,” Bosa said when asked about playing in the opener.

Getting to this point hasn’t been simple.

Bosa avoided beginning training camp on the physically unable to perform list and was able to perform individual drills early in camp. But his comeback slowed when discomfort developed around his patellar tendon. Bosa acknowledged he may have pushed his workload too quickly while attempting to transition back into football activities.

“It was a long road,” Bosa said. “There’s some stuff I dealt with, with that patella tendon, and then I kind of ramped it a little too fast with the football stuff.”

That forced Bosa to reduce his workload and focus on rebuilding strength and confidence before returning to full-speed team situations.

49ers pass rush could be getting a massive boost

Wednesday provided perhaps the most significant indication yet that he’s ready for the next phase.

“Once you get into team, there’s no reservations, there’s no compensation … like there’s no governor,” Bosa said.

His return couldn’t come at a better time for San Francisco.

The 49ers struggled dramatically to pressure opposing quarterbacks without their premier edge rusher last season, finishing last in the NFL with only 20 sacks.

A healthy Bosa immediately changes the outlook of San Francisco’s defensive front. Now the biggest question is whether he can continue progressing without another setback.

If Wednesday was any indication, Bosa is getting closer to answering it on the field.

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