George Kittle more likely for 49ers opener than…
SANTA CLARA — There’s no more urgent choice for the San Francisco 49ers than the names that will make up the passenger manifest for Wednesday’s globe-crossing flight.
Who will get on the aircraft will decide who has a likelihood of enjoying in their season opener against the Rams a week later, next Thursday in Melbourne, Australia.
And with two days until departure, the Niners know more about George Kittle than Nick Bosa.
Kittle, who tore his Achilles tendon on January 11, took a huge step in his recovery this week when he rejoined the group for 11-on-11 drills. That occurred Monday, per GM John Lynch.
Defensive end Nick Bosa of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sphere prior to an NFL soccer recreation against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. Getty Images
Bosa, who had his ACL in his proper knee surgically repaired for the second time last September, still hasn’t gotten there. While Kittle has been a seen participant since returning to apply last Sunday — and made his presence identified even while he was bodily incapable — Bosa has been mysteriously absent, even as his ramp-up was supposed to intensify this week.
Could it actually be doable that Kittle, less than 9 months eliminated from his injury, has lapped Bosa, who obtained damage 4 months earlier, in their rehabs?
Of the 2, it sure seems like he has the better likelihood of suiting up next Thursday.
According to Lynch, Bosa’s work has been taking place behind the scenes. The plan, the overall supervisor said Tuesday morning on KNBR, was for him to get on the sphere Wednesday.
“Is it ideal? No,” Lynch said. “But I will tell you … he’s been tracking very well. Now, always ramping it up to actual football is a difference, so that’s the next step.”
Those are either the phrases of somebody supremely assured in Bosa’s potential to be game-ready from Day 1, or anyone who already is aware of there’s not a lot hope of him enjoying Week 1.
Because by the time the 49ers get off the apply discipline Wednesday, there will probably be just hours left before they head to the airport for an 8,000-mile flight to the other aspect of the world.
They received’t have time to consider Bosa’s day, let alone how his physique responds 24 hours later.
When Bosa initially returned to apply at the start of training camp, he had to be shut down because his knee flared up upon the increase in exercise.
There’s only a technique to know if that occurs again, and by then, the Niners will probably be midway around the globe at an elevation of 40,000 toes, effectively on their approach to their momentary home for the next week.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle leaves the sphere after a recreation against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Friday, August 21, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via GWN Connect
Kittle was upfront about what he needed to do to persuade himself that he could be prepared for Week 1. He needed to put pads on and expertise the physicality of the game again.
He did that Monday, when he returned to group drills.
Bosa has yet to attain the same purpose post, and he has only one more likelihood before wheels up.
Given the time constraints, possibly it’s already a given that Bosa makes the journey. The same can’t be said for his standing for gameday, not without seeing him on the apply discipline for virtually a month.
There’s an argument to be made that Bosa’s presence is more important than Kittle’s. Without him last season, the Niners ranked last in sacks. And they’ll be without their other top move rusher, Mykel Williams, who’s out until at least Week 5 on the Physically Unable to Perform listing.
For that purpose alone, Bosa’s ticket may’ve been punched long in the past. The 49ers pulled off a comparable stop-and-start with Christian McCaffrey, who’s already back at full velocity after lacking a chunk of camp. It would also make more sense to slow-play Kittle’s return, given how far forward of schedule he already is.
And yet, Kittle has been the one more concerned at apply so far this week. Bosa has been invisible.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa during training camp on Monday, August 3, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco, California. Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
The Niners maintain their first apply in Melbourne on Saturday local time and get two more after that before kickoff. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris appeared to point out that those periods would decide whether or not or not Bosa is cleared to go well with up for the season opener.
“For me to feel comfortable, it’s different. It’s more about Bosa,” Morris said. “What does Bosa need? … Bosa’s got a plan in place. I don’t want to reveal it if Kyle hasn’t done it. But obviously they’ve got a real legit plan … an all-hands on deck mentality to get him ready to go.”
To get a sense of how little roster maneuvering will probably be out there to Lynch and Shanahan once they land, hear to this: They’ve had to add an additional query for any participant San Francisco has thought-about signing to the apply squad — obtained a passport?
“Those are questions we have to ask now,” Lynch said. “There’s a lot of little logistics like that that are complicated by this.”
And a few big issues, just like the health of two of their most important gamers.
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