Both Nick Bosa and George Kittle are expected to play for the San Francisco 49ers in Thursday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the coaching staff offering strong signals ahead of the NFL’s first game in Australia.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was unequivocal about Bosa. He said Bosa is going out there and that there is nothing to hide. He is recovering from a torn ACL in his right knee suffered in Week 3 last season. His return through training camp was more uncertain than his teammate’s, as he began camp with individual drills before missing time with tendinitis and soreness. He returned to practice before the team left for Australia and said he would play against the Rams barring a setback. The 49ers have been cautious with his load, and his snap count Thursday remains unclear, but Morris said he anticipates the pass rusher being involved because of who he is and how he has prepared.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak was less definitive about Kittle but offered a strong positive assessment. He said he has been super impressed with how the tight end has looked given the severity of the injury and how quickly he got back onto the field through committed rehabilitation. He said the tight end looks like himself, fresh and practicing at full speed with a heavy workload. He said the final decision on playing Thursday will come after the remaining two practices this week, but that things are heading in that direction.
He tore his right Achilles tendon in January. Kittle was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 24 and has been a regular participant in practices since, including team drills. He was in uniform and working through both media-available practice sessions in Melbourne.
The stakes for the 49ers
San Francisco is opening the regular season in Melbourne as part of the NFL‘s international expansion, facing the Rams in a marquee matchup that features Aaron Donald’s return from a two-year retirement. Having both Bosa and Kittle available changes the character of the game significantly.
His ACL recovery timeline of less than a year is at the compressed end of what the procedure typically requires, though athletes at the elite level have managed it. Kittle’s Achilles recovery is similarly compressed, as the injury typically requires six to nine months and he is approaching the eight-month mark.
Morris said his confidence in the pass rusher’s readiness comes from who he is and what he has done in preparation. The coordinator left no ambiguity about his expectation that Bosa will play.
The 49ers’ final injury report before Thursday’s game will be the official determination.
