49ers lose to Seahawks after DE ends game

On November 18, 2024By Littum

The San Francisco 49ers did a good job of limiting Seattle Seahawks‘ offense early in their Week 11 matchup.

However, once San Francisco’s star edge rushes Nick Bosa got injured in the second half, it became much more difficult for them 49ers.

Bosa aggravated a hip injury he suffered entering Week 11. The 49ers considered him “doubtful” to returnbut he didn’t get back into the game, which San Francisco eventually lost 20-17.

Here’s what you need to know about Bosa’s injury and how it affected the 49ers in their loss to the Seahawks:

Nick Bosa injury update

Bosa suffered a hip injury in the third quarter of the 49ers’ loss to the Seahawks. It seemed to happen after he was fired Geno Smith on Seattle’s first drive of the third quarter.

Bosa brought Smith to the ground but came up limp. He limped off the field after the injury and was sidelined after it. He was seen stretching out his left hip with the training staff, per ESPN’s Nick Wagonerand was “clearly in pain” while participating in the activities.

The 49ers later announced that Bosa was “doubtful” to return to the game due to the hip injury. He did not return, and the Seahawks scored both of their touchdowns after Bosa left the game.

Curiously, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Bosa’s injury was not an aggravation of the previous hip injury. Instead, Shanahan claimed the veteran edge rusher was dealing with another oblique injury.

“I think it was someone else,” he said when asked if Bosa’s injury was the same hip ailment he was nursing.

Shanahan also admitted the defense missed Bosa after he left the game, though he wouldn’t say the edge rusher’s absence helped spark the Seahawks’ game-winning drive.

“I thought we had a couple of opportunities to get to (Smith),” Shanahan said of San Francisco’s final defensive move. “I think we got a sack or two on the last drive, but him getting those two scrambles killed us.”

The 49ers dropped to 5-5 as a result of the loss. That dropped them to last place in the crowded NFC West, as San Francisco has just a 1-3 record in divisional play.

Who is Nick Bosa’s backup on the 49ers depth chart?

Yetur Gross-Matos is the top backup edge rusher on San Francisco’s roster. He returned from a five-game absence against the Seahawks and had a sack in the 49ers’ Week 11 loss.

Below is a complete look at the team’s defensive end depth chart, which could prove critical if Bosa misses time with his injuries:

Nick Bosa
Leonard Floyd
Yetur Gross-Matos
Sam Okuayinonu
Robert Beal Jr.

Nick Bosa statistics

Bosa had four tackles and 1.5 sacks against the Seahawks before leaving with an injury. On the season, Bosa has 36 tackles and seven sacks in 10 games. He also has an interception and a forced fumble.

Bosa’s seven sacks are easily the most on the 49ers. Floyd (4.5) and Maliek Collins (4) rank second and third, respectively.