The San Francisco 49ers have had a rough stretch lately, but there's finally some good news on the injury front. Two of the team's biggest stars, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa, are both trending in the right direction for the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Kittle is scheduled to make the trip Down Under after putting together two solid days of practice. The All-Pro tight end has been recovering from an Achilles injury he suffered back in January, but his progress has been encouraging.
“The 49ers leave today for their game vs the Rams in Australia, and star TE George Kittle will make the trip after 2 positive days of practice, sources say,” Rapoport reported. “Kittle is trending in the right direction to play. DE Nick Bosa, ramping up with his knee, will also make the trip.”
Bosa, who tore his ACL last season, has been sidelined for most of training camp while he works his way back. But general manager John Lynch revealed earlier this week that the plan is to increase Bosa's workload with an eye on having him available for the opener.
“Wednesday, he wants to get out on the field,” Lynch said in an interview with KNBR. “We’ve been working in conjunction with Nick on the best plan. He’s been doing great work to the side. Nick has always had a great sense— He’s come back from ACLs before.”
Lynch added that Bosa has been tracking well, though he acknowledged that ramping up to actual game speed is the real test. “Now, always ramping it up to actual football is a difference, and so that’s the next step, and we’re very hopeful.”
The 49ers have been hit hard by injuries once again to start the 2026 season, but having Kittle and Bosa on the field would be a massive boost. Kittle is a key piece of the passing attack, while Bosa anchors the defensive line. Their presence could be crucial against a loaded Rams squad.
The game is scheduled for next Thursday and will be broadcast on Netflix, marking another milestone for the streaming service's foray into live sports. For 49ers fans, the hope is that both stars will be ready to roll when the ball is kicked off in Melbourne.
If they are, it could make all the difference in what promises to be a tough early-season test. And with the team already dealing with its share of adversity, having two of its best players on the field would be a welcome sight. The 49ers have been a popular pick in some circles, but they'll need their stars healthy to live up to expectations.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 49ers finalize their travel plans and the game approaches.
