49ers DE Nick Bosa Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play Saturday Against Packers
Leading up to the 49ers' NFC Divisional matchup against the Packers, San Francisco received encouraging news on its top pass rusher.
The team announced Friday that Nick Bosa cleared concussion protocol and will be active Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. on FOX in Green Bay. Bosa was on the receiving end of a collision with teammate D.J. Jones in the second quarter of the 49ers' 23-17 victory over the Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Sunday.
The news comes after the 49ers appeared optimistic all week that Bosa would be able to go. Bosa was able to practice in limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday, before participating in the team's walkthrough Friday.
"He's come along well going through the NFL protocol," defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said Wednesday, via ESPN. "Definitely need him out there."
A healthy Bosa is significant news, as San Francisco will need to amp the pressure up on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bosa set career-highs this season with 15.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss and 52 tackles, just one year removed from suffering a torn ACL.
Green Bay will hope to have its ace back on the offensive line in All-Pro David Bakhtiari, who Bosa could potentially line up against. After suffering a torn ACL in Dec. 2020, Bakhtiari made his return in Week 18 this season against the Lions. However, he only played 40% of the snaps.
He is listed as questionable, per head coach Matt LaFleur.
“I think Dave’s in really good shape. Obviously, he puts a lot of time in,” LaFleur said. “You don’t have to be necessarily in great shape by going play after play out there on the field. I definitely think there is a difference to it in terms of some of the movements you make as a player as opposed to in a controlled environment, but he’s working his tail off and we’ll see where he’s at.”
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