Nick Bosa, that absolute beast of a defensive end for the 49ers, just pulled his calf muscle during warmups late in the week, and man, that’s a gut punch for them. It’s a random, brutal blow for a guy who’s been superb through two weeks, and for us here in the Emerald City, it makes that Week 3 matchup against the Cardinals feel a whole lot different.
Bosa Goes Down, Niners D Has to Step Up
The Niners have been looking scary good, thumping the Los Angeles Rams in their opener and then laying another thumping on the Miami Dolphins. We’re talking 2-0, looking like they could run away with it. But this Bosa injury, it’s not just a small thing. Last year, their pass rush fell apart almost immediately when he was out, and defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is gonna have to pull some magic to keep the wheels on that defense this time around. It just shows what they *could* be, if they could ever stay healthy, ya know?
And Bosa isn’t the only one hobbled over there. Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson got slapped on injured reserve on Saturday with an ankle injury, making an already thin receiving corps even thinner. Jordan Watkins might get a shot on Sunday, which says a lot. They even added Brandin Cooks to the practice squad, but don’t expect to see him much this week since he’s new to their offense. Defensive end Romello Height is out with a hand injury, and defensive tackle James Thompson is also sidelined with an ankle issue. Mike Evans is even questionable with a hip issue. It’s a mess!
Cardinals Aren’t Rolling Over, And The Seahawks Are Watching
Now, let’s talk about the Cardinals. They actually had a pretty solid Week 1, beating the Los Angeles Chargers 26-14 in SoFi Stadium, so they’re not just some pushover. They even tried to upset our Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 and hung in there for a while before the floodgates opened and we handed them a 31-7 loss. Honestly, you gotta think the Cardinals are better than most folks are giving them credit for, especially with these injuries evening things out.
They’ve got their own injury woes, too. Cornerback Will Johnson, who started both their first two games, is on IR with a neck injury, and safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson is out. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett has a hip issue, though he was a full participant in practice, so that’s something to watch. But hey, at least cornerback Garrett Williams, who tore his Achilles last year, is expected to make his season debut. For the Niners, this is their second divisional game, and it’s a huge chance for them to try and wrestle first place away from our Seahawks. With Bosa out, suddenly that challenge looks a lot tougher for them, and our spot at the top feels a little more secure.
So, Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 01:05 PM PST, we’ve got the 49ers taking on the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Kevin Kugler and Daryl Johnston will be on the call for Fox. The stakes are real: the Niners need to prove they can win hurt, and the Cardinals want to show they’re no fluke. But for us, for every 12 out there, it’s all about watching to see if our Seahawks can hold onto that first-place spot. This game could definitely shake things up, or maybe, just maybe, it solidifies our view from the top.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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