With the San Francisco 49ers finalizing their initial 53-man roster before traveling to Australia for their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided crucial updates on All-Pro tight end George Kittle and star pass rusher Nick Bosa.
Both superstars are aiming to suit up for the season opener after spending August working back from physical setbacks. Kittle was limited to individual drills while recovering from a ruptured Achilles suffered during the postseason in January. Bosa was held out of team settings later in training camp to manage knee soreness after ramping up his activity.
Speaking on August 31, Shanahan outlined a pivotal three-day evaluation window before the team boards its flight to Melbourne.
"We're going to get them out there in these three days and hope it goes well," Shanahan said.
Because the Niners' departure schedule requires a fast-forwarded calendar, Shanahan emphasized that both core pieces will be on modified practice schedules to ensure they don't overexert themselves prior to the long flight.
"With three days before we go, we're balancing it out with both of them. We don't want them to go three days in a row," Shanahan explained. "Both of them are on a little different schedule... hopefully these three days that we have, these three practices will go the right way and make it an easy decision to get him on the plane."
Shanahan says Nick Bosa and George Kittle will practice this week and hopefully play Week 1 if it goes well. pic.twitter.com/TDTErDsoNl
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) August 31, 2026
Shanahan also clarified recent media speculation regarding Kittle, confirming that a phrase he used after the preseason finale was misinterpreted and that the tight end has suffered no structural setbacks.
"George has been great. He's passing everything," Shanahan noted. "There was nothing that I meant to say that people looked into. I did say that was an accident."
If both stars navigate the practice week cleanly, San Francisco expects to have its primary offensive anchor and edge rush threat fully available for Week 1.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Kyle Shanahan gives major update on 49ers biggest injured stars
