49ers Eye Joey Bosa Idea as Nick Returns
Former NFL scout Larry Krueger suggested San Francisco consider adding Joey Bosa, the older brother of 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Football
Ex-NFL scout Larry Krueger, speaking on Sacramento's Sactown Sports 1140 "The Drive Guys," suggested the 49ers consider adding Joey Bosa, who has not played in a while. The idea comes as Nick Bosa returns from a calf strain and the NFL trade deadline has already passed.
Why it matters
Krueger said Nick Bosa needs time to return to his regular form and that adding Joey would benefit the team. Any move would still depend on whether Joey is willing and able to return to football.
The available evidence is a single expert opinion from Larry Krueger, a former NFL scout, given on a Sacramento radio program. Krueger said Joey Bosa is available if the 49ers want to call him, but the source does not indicate Joey's current fitness or any contract talks.
The players
Larry Krueger
Larry Krueger is a former NFL scout who now appears as a commentator on Sacramento radio, offering evaluations of football personnel.
Nick Bosa
Nick Bosa is a defensive end for the San Francisco 49ers and a former No. 2 overall draft pick who has been among the team's top pass rushers.
Joey Bosa
Joey Bosa is a veteran NFL defensive end who signed with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 and is the older brother of Nick Bosa.
The details
Krueger said Joey Bosa is available if the 49ers want to call him up, and that Nick Bosa needs time to return to his regular form. Nick Bosa spoke after practice on Wednesday about his return from a calf strain, and the 49ers beat the Las Vegas Raiders during his comeback. SB Nation separately suggested Joey could fit the Cincinnati Bengals, while rumors linked him to the Buffalo Bills, where he signed in 2025.
Timeline
2025: Joey Bosa signed with the Buffalo Bills.
Wednesday: Nick Bosa spoke after practice about his return from injury.
Coming weeks: Nick Bosa is expected to improve toward pre-injury form.
Season Trajectory
The 49ers have already added wide receiver Keenan Allen and reshaped their depth chart this season, and the trade deadline has passed. Any Joey Bosa addition would have to come through free agency or a post-deadline signing, which narrows the path considerably.
Fantasy managers tracking Nick Bosa should monitor his practice reports over the coming weeks as he returns toward full form. No roster change involving Joey Bosa has been confirmed, so the 49ers' depth chart is unchanged for now.
The takeaway
Injury returns and roster speculation often move faster than actual transactions, so readers should wait for official team announcements before assuming any change. Watch for confirmed signings rather than radio suggestions.
Further reading
For more on the team's roster moves, see our Football coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsweek.
