49ers injury update: Nick Bosa out for entire preseason

49ers fans will have to wait at least until the start of the regular season to see rookie defensive end Nick Bosa in action. General manager John Lynch went on KNBR 680 in San Francisco on Thursday and said the No. 2 overall pick will miss the entire preseason with a significant ankle sprain.

Bosa left Wednesday’s practice early after going down at the end of a running play. He left the field under his own power, but an MRI after practice revealed a sprained ankle.

While this isn’t great news for the 49ers, it would be a small victory if the injury doesn’t affect the rookie into the start of the regular season. They open their regular season slate on Sept. 8 in Tampa Bay.

San Francisco’s training staff has been diligent with injury maintenance, so his absence for the entirety of the preseason doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The team wants their players healthy for the games that count.

ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tweeted Lynch’s quote:

Here's #49ers GM John Lynch's exact quote on Nick Bosa injury: “It’s a significant ankle sprain and there’s that dreaded high ankle sprain – he doesn’t have a full blown one – but it has some components of that," Lynch said.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 8, 2019

Lynch continued: "As for timing, I think what we’re comfortable saying and a lot is going to happen here with kind of the follow up today, they’ve got the scans. It’s safe to say we won’t see him in the preseason and then we’re going to be very prudent."

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 8, 2019

Bosa was putting together a good camp before his injury. He should be able to step in and play right away once he is healthy enough to take the field. Lynch’s comments seem to indicate they’re willing to keep him out of the regular season if it means ensuring his long-term health.

The 49ers open their preseason Saturday at home against the Dallas Cowboys.