49ers Balance Injuires, Before Week 1 In Australia

The San Francisco 49ers are days away from leaving for Australia, but their Week 1 availability remains in question as injuries continue to hinder their roster.

General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan met with reporters after roster cuts and ahead of the team’s season-opening trip, with injury management, roster fluidity and preparation for the Los Angeles Rams all primary topics of conversation.

The most notable injury updates centered around edge rusher Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle, two of San Francisco’s most important players entering the season. Shanahan said both are expected to get work in before the team leaves.

“We’re going to get them out there in these three days and hope it goes well,” Shanahan said.

Kittle said last week that if he was not going to play, it could make more sense for him to stay behind and get extra rest instead of making the long flight. Shanahan acknowledged that would be the cleaner outcome if the 49ers already knew Kittle was unlikely to suit up, but said the team is hoping the decision becomes apparent depending on how he looks/feels in practice.

“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 said.

Meanwhile, Bosa has been ramping up in his own right. Shanahan said the initial issue was tendinitis, but now seem they are trying to be cautious with his workload. They were optimistic about his odds of playing in Australia, though..

“We put together a really good plan that we believe will have him ready for Australia,” Lynch said of Bosa.

The 49ers are also trying to balance the urgency of a division opener against the season-long outlook of their roster. Shanahan made the importance of Week 1 clear, especially against their rival Los Angeles Rams, but said the team’s medical feedback takes top priority.

“In the NFL, just one game is huge,” Shanahan said. “When you go against division opponents, sometimes you say that counts twice because the best way to get in the playoffs is to win your division.”

Lynch pointed to young defensive lineman Mykel Williams as an example of that thinking. Williams will miss the first four weeks while remaining on PUP, but Lynch said the organization felt that was the right long-term decision.

“Yes, division games count double. Yes, it’s the Rams. They’re all so important, but we’re also always very conscious of a long-term play,” Lynch said.

Beyond the injuries, the 49ers are still sorting out their workloads at certain positions of concern. Shanahan said he does not yet know who will start at left guard or who will be the backup running back, calling both situations “truly fluid.”

That fluidity extends to the newly added Jarrett Patterson, who will get work at both center and guard. “We love that he has some flex at center and guard,” Shanahan said.

The initial 53-man roster is set, but Lynch emphasized how easily it could change at any moment. “That doesn’t stay static,” he said. “That’s fluid and ongoing.”

Injuries have unfortunately become commonplace for the 49ers to deal with, and they’re finding that balance with Kittle, Bosa, and others ahead of their 2026 season debut in Australia.

More 49ers content from Sactown Sports

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• The 49ers’ O-Line could determine Christian McCaffrey’s ceiling
• Brooks: De’Zhaun Stribling is “the absolute real deal”
• Christian McCaffrey could see a lighter workload in 2026
• Why George Kittle’s Week 1 decision looms large for the 49ers
• 49ers trim roster to 53 Players ahead of season opener in Australia

Upcoming San Francisco 49ers 2026 Schedule

• Thursday, September 10th – vs. Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia (Season Opener) – 5:35 pm PT
• Sunday, September 20th – vs. Miami Dolphins – 1:25 pm PT
• Sunday, September 27th – vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1:05 pm PT
• Sunday, October 4th – vs. Denver Broncos – 1:25 pm PT

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