It was hard to see San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa down on the field late in the first half of Sunday's playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys. Everyone, including the fans, knows how much the young defensive end means to the 49ers defense. After the team lost Bosa early last season, the pass rush never really got going.
Bosa was ruled out with a head injury and will likely enter the concussion protocol this week, ahead of the 49ers' next playoff game—a Divisional Round matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
"We were thinking of him, and I'm happy that he'll be OK, and it's not too serious," defensive lineman Arik Armstead said after Sunday's game. "Obviously, we can't wait to get him back. He's a force for us, and I love playing alongside him."
Bosa's teammates hope he can be ready to go next weekend. On Sunday, though, several players stepped up to hold onto the lead against Dallas after Bosa left the game.
"I don't think anyone blinked an eye," defensive tackle D.J. Jones said. "It was next-man-up. There was no change in mindset. Just mainly just fight for your brother."
There wasn't a discussion after Bosa left the field. The 49ers' defenders knew what was on the line and what needed to be done.
"Guys just knew they had to step up," Armstead said. "We've had a lot of injuries and different things throughout the year, a lot of adversity, and guys have had to step up. This was just another situation."
It wasn't just one player who stepped up. Everyone put it on themselves to ensure the 49ers escaped AT&T Stadium with the victory.
"Everybody [stepped up]," Jones said. "I feel like Charles Omenihu, Kevin Givens, always Arik Armstead. Everybody. This is one of the best units I've been a part of, and I'm just happy to win my first playoff game."
Armstead's words echoed those of his defensive teammate.
"Samsun [Ebukam] had to step up," Armstead added. "Charles had to probably play the most snaps he's played since he's got here. Jordan [Willis] had great rushes against their All-Pros on the other side. Arden [Key] had to come in and fill a bigger role. He's been playing majority on third down, and he had to go out there on first and second down.
"We have a deep, deep unit. I don't see it as ones and twos. When I'm out there with any of them, I feel comfortable. I feel that we can get it done. I love playing with this group. We're 10, 11 deep when we go out there, so it's fun to be a part of it."