Week 2 was devastating for the San Francisco 49ers. The team lost two defensive linemen for the season and could be without its quarterback and two running backs for at least another week — possibly longer.
The 49ers confirmed on Monday that both Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas suffered torn ACLs at MetLife Stadium and will miss the remainder of the season.
RELATED 49ers confirm Nick Bosa suffered a torn ACL, ending his season
Head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed hope that Jimmy Garoppolo might play this weekend against the New York Giants. He is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. While it seems unlikely he will be ready to go against the New York Giants, the coach hasn't eliminated the possibility.
Shanahan shared that Raheem Mostert is unlikely to suit up for Week 3 due to an MCL sprain, and the severity of Tevin Coleman's knee injury hasn't been revealed. Although, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the latter will miss "multiple weeks."
The great Jerry Rice joined 95.7 The Game on Monday morning and was asked what advice he would give Bosa as the second-year pass rusher embarks on the road back to recovery. The Hall of Fame receiver knows a thing or two about returning from that specific injury, too.
RELATED 49ers confirm Solomon Thomas suffered a torn ACL, ending his season
"It's the worst injury ever," Rice said on The Morning Show, "because I remember when I tore my ACL (in 1997) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As athletes ... we all feel like we're invincible. We're like, 'Alright, I sprained my knee or something like that. I'll be OK.' But then you go in, and then you realize it's a tear. Now, it's all about that rehab, that rebuilding, all of that. You've got to have surgery, rehab, and all that."
Bosa had hopes of a strong sophomore NFL season and helping push his team toward its goal of returning to and winning the Super Bowl. Now, his goal will be to return as strong as before in 2021.
Rice wants to make sure Bosa paces himself, though, and doesn't push himself too hard in his recovery. The former receiver recalls not following that advice and setting a goal to return for a late Monday Night Football game against the Denver Broncos during that 1997 season. He ended up suffering another devastating injury in that game.
"I would say to him,' Don't rush yourself back,'" Rice continued. "That was my mistake because when I came back so fast, I think I cracked my patella. So, take your time.
"It's going to be frustrating. You're going to feel like you're disconnected, not part of the team. But this guy, he's young, and he's got a lot of football ahead of him, and he's just going to have to be smart and not rush himself back."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.