George Kittle, Nick Bosa Injury Updates Provided by 49ers' Shanahan, Latest on Status for Week 1

All indications are the San Francisco 49ers will have two of their biggest superstars available for their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Monday that defensive end Nick Bosa and tight end George Kittle will practice this week and play in the Sept. 10 game in Australia if everything goes according to plan.

Kittle being available is not surprising.

After all, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday the tight end planned on practicing this week and "has a legitimate chance to play the opener" as he recovers from the torn Achilles he suffered in a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

San Francisco also activated Kittle from the active/physically unable to perform list last Sunday.

Returning from a torn Achilles in approximately eight months is impressive, and Schefter previously reported Kittle's recovery was "ahead of schedule."

When healthy, he is one of the best tight ends in the league with a resume that includes two First-Team All-Pro selections, four seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards and seven Pro Bowl nods.

As for Bosa, he is recovering from a torn ACL that limited him to three games last season. Shanahan told reporters last week the pass-rusher was "doing good" and planning to practice during the upcoming week.

The latest update suggests nothing has changed from those plans.

Bosa's list of accomplishments includes a Defensive Player of the Year, Defensive Rookie of the Year, a First-Team All-Pro selection, five Pro Bowl nods and five seasons with at least nine sacks, including when he led the league with 18.5 in 2022.

His presence elevates the defense in a number of ways beyond his own sacks, as he opens up others along the line because of the double teams he draws and gets to quarterbacks quick enough that the secondary doesn't have to cover as long.

The season opener is an important one for the 49ers considering they are facing a division rival and presumed Super Bowl contender in the Rams, so having two of their best players available would be a welcome development.