Add The California Post on Google The San Francisco 49ers could receive substantial reinforcements before opening their season against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Nick Bosa, George Kittle and Mykel Williams are all nearing returns from significant injuries. Their participation in next week’s practices should help determine whether any of them can play Sept. 10 in Melbourne.
Kittle appears to be the furthest along. The seven-time Pro Bowl tight end was activated from the physically unable to perform list on Aug. 23, making him eligible for the opener.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle on the field prior to a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on Thursday, August 20, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Kittle has participated in individual drills and other non-competitive portions of practice but has not yet returned to team periods. The 32-year-old tore his right Achilles during San Francisco’s wild-card victory over Philadelphia in January.
Bosa is also expected to test his progress next week. The five-time Pro Bowler has not practiced since Aug. 3 because of soreness and tendinitis in the right knee in which he tore his ACL last season.
“He’s doing good,” Shanahan said Tuesday. “Hoping he can get into practice next week. We’ll see how those three days go after the mandatory three days off.”
Those three practices will represent Bosa’s final opportunities to work with the team before the 49ers depart for Australia on Sept. 2.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa runs a drill during the NFL football team’s training camp Friday, July 31, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu Williams remains the least likely of the three to face Los Angeles. The defensive end tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in Week 9 last season and remained on active/PUP through the end of training camp.
Shanahan previously called Williams a “long shot” for Week 1, although he emphasized that the former first-round pick was progressing well and had not been ruled out.
The latest update leaves the door open for San Francisco to have at least one of its premier pass rushers back alongside its All-Pro tight end. However, none of the three has officially been cleared to face the Rams.
Next week’s abbreviated practice schedule should finally provide that answer.
