‘We’re Taking It Actually A Block At A Time’ – CBS San Francisco
SANTA CLARA (CBS SF / AP) – As the San Francisco 49ers’ training camp went into high gear, many eyes were on star defender Nick Bosa as he missed most of the 2020 season with a serious knee injury.
Although optimism is high, head coach Kyle Shanahan remains cautious about when the defensive star will return to full contact.
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“We’re really taking it one block at a time,” Shanahan said. “We didn’t set a date where, hey, today is the day you start … That’s what I rely on Nick the most. I know Nick, we don’t have to make a lot of decisions for him when it comes to football. He thinks about his body and what’s right around the clock. I think it’s tough when you have younger people who you have to develop and protect a lot. But as I joked with Nick, I feel like he was developed as a pass rusher since he was three, so that’s what he’s focused on. It’s a little easier with him. “
The San Francisco defensive end was a limited participant in the training camp’s team’s first two workouts, followed by a maintenance day on Friday. The knee has held up well up to this point and has put Bosa on the right track to face the Detroit Lions in the season opener on September 12th.
“I knew when it was an early injury (last season) that I would probably be ready for the most part to go into Week 1 and everything is leaning in that direction right now,” he said. “So I hope to step it up over time and be ready to give all I have for Week 1.”
Bosa took the league by storm in 2019, posting 47 tackles, nine sacks and 16 tackles for the loss. For his efforts, he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year for the NFL.
But in just week 2 of the ’20 season, Bosa tore the cruciate ligament in his left knee.
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“You come out in 2019 and you are at the top of the world, and then you start your next season well and everything is gone very quickly,” he said. “It was difficult. Mentally it’s really rough and when your body feels awful your mind kind of goes to this place.”
Bosa, 23, found a way to stay positive throughout the rehab process and his hard work has paid off. He says the knee reacted even better than he could have imagined.
“I’m moving better than ever right now,” said Bosa. “I am very confident about how I will feel on the field this year.”
Bosa’s return, along with that of Dee Ford, who missed the last 15 games with a back injury last season, already brings back memories of San Francisco’s dominant defensive line in ’19. That session led the team to a 13-3 record and a trip to the Super Bowl.
“You will be nice,” smiled Security Jimmie Ward. “I think they will have their own identity. You will be a great unit. “
Linebacker Fred Warner repeated that feeling.
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“It’s just good to have (Bosa and Ford) back,” he said. “Having them back not only gives a boost to the entire defense, it gives the entire team a boost.”
