There's a chance Nick Bosa will play in the 49ers' season opener.
The San Francisco rookie pass rusher, who sprained his ankle in early August and was held out of the entire preseason, could be on the field when his team takes on the Buccaneers in Week 1 action Sept. 8, general manager John Lynch said Wednesday.
“He’s doing awesome,” Lynch told KNBR about Bosa. “He really is healing at a really good rate. Week 1 is certainly in play. I’m not going to say probable, questionable, because we’re just not to that point yet, but he’s kind of exceeding where we thought he could be.
"Knowing how much he means to this organization and how we’re looking at this as a long-term proposition, we’re not going to rush anything… but I can say we’re very encouraged with the way we’re going with Nick.”
The No. 2 pick in the 2019 draft suffered the injury at a 49ers' practice early in training camp. He stayed down on the field after he was tangled up with teammates during a run play, was examined by trainers and eventually walked off under his own power.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh praised Bosa’s play during his first few NFL practices.
“So far he’s been doing a very good job getting better every day,” Saleh said earlier this month, via the Sacramento Bee. “He is winning some one-on-ones, he’s not winning all of them, which you don’t expect. He is getting better. His whole deal is to continue to get better, stay healthy, improve on his game, and add a second repertoire to keep adding to his skill set with regard to pass rush. He’s really good in the run game, could get better, but he’s progressing the right way.”
The 49ers will conclude the preseason Thursday against the Chargers.