The San Francisco 49ers have been hopeful that rookie defensive end Nick Bosa would be healthy enough to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is expected to be on the field with his teammates at Raymond James Stadium, according to defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
"He's going," Saleh told reporters on Thursday. "He should be (ready)."
Bosa is returning from an ankle sprain suffered on August 7. The injury forced the rookie to miss all of the preseason.
"I don't think I've ever been as motivated in my life to get back," Bosa told reporters on Monday. "I've had my sights set on playing my first NFL season, and every waking hour was spent getting my ankle right."
The 49ers made Bosa the No. 2 overall pick in April's draft. He missed most of the offseason program with a hamstring strain before his latest injury.
"Bosa has looked good so far," Saleh said. "Obviously, we're monitoring his reps and all that stuff. He's progressing. He feels good. These days leading up are going to be critical for him with rehab and solidifying everything for game day."
Bosa wasn't as confident about his game-day status as his defensive coordinator. The rookie says he is feeling good and preparing as though he will play.
"Everything is going really well," Bosa told reporters on Thursday. "Practice has felt good the past couple of days. Today is probably one of the bigger tests, though; putting on pads. I'm still just going day by day. I mean, I'm preparing like I'm playing, of course, but just got to be smart with it."
Bosa said his ankle felt good on Tuesday. Players had the day off after Monday's practice — Bosa's first since the injury.
"It was a little sore after the practice but I was happy with how it felt in the morning," Bosa said. "Usually, it would be a little sore in the morning, but it felt really good."
Bosa wasn't the only injury update on Thursday. It was revealed that often-injured defensive back Jimmie Ward suffered a broken finger during Wednesday's practice and will likely miss Sunday's game.
Saleh is also confident that K'Waun Williams (knee) will be ready for Sunday.
