The San Francisco 49ers are set to be without wide receiver Mike Evans for Week 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders. However, they are likely to get a key defensive star back in Nick Bosa.
Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Bosa has been back on the training field and believes he is finally ready to return after a lengthy layoff.
“Nick Bosa appears poised to return to the field for the first time since late September. Nick Bosa, dealing with a calf strain for about a month and a half. A little more for Nick Bosa. Calf strains are bad, they can linger. The 49ers know they are in it for the long haul. They wanted to make sure they take their time. But he has been on the field this week after the bye and told reporters in the locker room he believes he is good to go,” Rapoport said.
A five-time Pro Bowler and one-time Defensive Player of the Year, Bosa is coming off a torn ACL that limited him to just three games last season. That is likely why the Niners have chosen to be a bit more cautious in treating Bosa's calf issue. They are once again in Super Bowl contention and will hope to have all their stars healthy later in the season.
Bosa will be tested in his first game back as he takes on a Raiders offense line that has done a fine job protecting quarterback Kirk Cousins. They have surrendered just 11 sacks thus far, which is tied for the fourth-fewest in the league.