The reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year was done for the day early, and perhaps longer.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was carted off in their 31-13 win over the New York Jets in the first quarter with a knee injury. The team quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the contest, which was far from done with seeing significant Niners injuries.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Bosa likely tore his ACL and will undergo more tests.
The injury woes did not stop there for San Francisco.
Niners starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played the entire first half while hobbled with an ankle injury before being ruled out at the start of the second half with San Francisco leading 21-3. Nick Mullens entered the game in place of Garoppolo.
Shanahan said that Jimmy G has a high-ankle sprain, meaning Mullens is the favorite to start next week at the New York Giants.
Starting running back Raheem Mostert was also ruled out with a knee injury at half. Mostert is believed to have suffered a mild MCL sprain, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, but will have tests Monday to produce a time table for his recovery.
Just two plays after Bosa went down, Solomon Thomas, a fellow top-five pick along the Niners' defensive line, was carted off with a knee injury and ruled out.
Bosa was blocked by Jets tight end Trevon Wesco on New York's second drive and appeared to have his left knee buckle. The cart came out shortly after an evaluation from team trainers, and Bosa was carted to the locker room with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.
The defending NFC champions have endured some cruel injury luck so far this season. Their top receivers, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk, did not see the field in Week 1. George Kittle was ruled out for Week 2 with a knee injury and could miss more time. Defensive end Dee Ford was also ruled out for San Francisco's game against New York with a neck injury. Richard Sherman is on injured reserve.
Despite all those injuries, San Francisco enjoyed a special gameday. Mostert took his first carry of the game, a toss right, 80 yards down the sideline and into the end zone untouched; he left with 92 rushing yards on eight carries. Garoppolo, despite sustaining the ankle injury early, had an efficient afternoon, bouncing back from last week's loss with a 14-of-16, 131-yard and two-TD outing.
The 49ers were able to prosper against the lowly Jets, even without at least seven of their most important players. However, as these injuries persist throughout the season, San Francisco won't be so lucky with future opponents, especially in the tough NFC West.
