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49ers need to worry about Nick Bosa’s health

By Mike Phillips

SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive lineman Nick Bosa during San Francisco 49ers training camp at SAP Performance Facility on July 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JULY 30: San Francisco 49ers rookie defensive lineman Nick Bosa during San Francisco 49ers training camp at SAP Performance Facility on July 30, 2019 in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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After missing significant time in college due to injury, Nick Bosa is already hurt in training camp, which should set off alarm bells for the San Francisco 49ers.

The great Bill Parcells used to say that a player’s best ability is his availability. Parcells was saying, in essence, it doesn’t matter how much talent a player has if he isn’t on the field enough to make a difference with it.

That could prove to be problematic for the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted a potentially elite defensive linemen with the second pick in the 2019 draft in former Ohio State product Nick Bosa. Bosa has the ability to absolutely dominate NFL tackles and was considered the best edge rusher in this year’s class, but he has had problems staying on the field.

After tearing his ACL in high school, Bosa ended up at Ohio State and played well before a core injury limited him to just three games last season. The 49ers were undeterred and took Bosa at 2 anyway, but they have to be nervous after Bosa got hurt at training camp today.

There is no indication yet how long this injury could affect Bosa, but the fact he is already getting hurt just a week into training camp is problematic. The 49ers could have a potentially lethal front four if Bosa is able to team up with Solomon Thomas, DeForest Buckner, and Dee Ford along the defensive line, but that won’t work if Bosa is in street clothes more often than not.

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San Francisco passed on other potential impact defenders in this year’s draft, like Quinnen Williams and Josh Allen, in order to take a shot at Bosa’s immense talent. There is still every chance that Bosa is able to overcome his early injury history and stay healthy for the majority of his career, but the fact Bosa is already getting hurt should set off a few alarm bells in Santa Clara.