49ers’ Trent Williams, Fred Warner amazed by Nick Bosa’s recovery after ACL injury

For the second time in his NFL career, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa had his season cut short by an ACL injury. The latest setback occurred in Week 3 of the 2025 season.

The good news is that the timing of the injury allowed Bosa ample time to recover and prepare for the 2026 campaign. The veteran pass rusher was cleared at the start of training camp, indicating he should be ready to return for the 49ers' Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

When it comes to Bosa's knee, one 49ers veteran said he wouldn't even know the star defender was returning from a significant injury just by watching him on the field.

"I see him every day," left tackle Trent Williams said after Sunday's practice, the first of training camp. "I couldn't even tell he had an injury or he came back from anything. Most people with a knee injury that catastrophic, you come back, you can see something. You can see it in the atrophy in the muscle and the leg. You can see something."

Bosa, however, appears to be the exception.

"Bosa looks better than he did before he got hurt last year," Williams added. "That's just a commendment to him and how hard he works. A guy that's successful with that much, his motor is still running as high as it do, I think it's just a testament to his character."

Linebacker Fred Warner also weighed in on Bosa's impressive recovery.

"I'm not surprised," Warner said. "Nick is one of the hardest workers and a guy who's so in tune with his body. And having gone through that injury before, he obviously knows the steps and things that he has to do and accomplish in order to get back on top and be the guy that he's always been. So, yeah, I'm not surprised one bit."

Bosa's return is encouraging news for the 49ers, who finished with an NFL-low 20 sacks last season and clearly felt the absence of Bosa's presence on the edge of the defensive line.

Williams and Warner aren't the only ones impressed by Bosa's recovery. On Saturday, general manager John Lynch praised the defensive end's dedication throughout the rehabilitation process.

"Nick has always had a different schedule," Lynch said. "He's got a great sense, a great instinct for his body and what he needs. He'll probably start in a phase, individual first, and then we'll add as we see fit, as he sees fit."

With Bosa back on the field and appearing healthy, the 49ers are hopeful their defense can rebound in 2026 after struggling to generate consistent pressure last season. His return could be one of the biggest factors in San Francisco's efforts to improve defensively and compete for a championship.

The 49ers return to the practice field on Monday at 10:10 a.m. PT.