MELBOURNE — Nick Bosa and George Kittle are expected to launch comebacks and play in Friday’s 49ers’ season opener, at least from what coordinators [Raheem Morris](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/09/07/raheem-morris-defensive-coordinator-49ers-scheme/) and Klay Kubiak said before Tuesday’s practice at AAMI Park.
Bosa’s availability has seemed more in doubt because of his right knee’s tendinitis. Not only was he not seen in Monday’s training session, he missed four weeks of camp before last Wednesday’s debut in team drills.
“He’s going out there. He’ll be there. We’re not hiding that,” Morris, the first-year defensive coordinator said. “… I definitely anticipate that with who he is and what he’s done in his process to get ready for this.”
Kittle is two-plus weeks into practicing on his surgically repaired right Achilles.
“It’s been pretty cool to see Kittle out there looking like himself, looking fresh,” Kubiak said. “How that affects him on game day and what the workload is, that will be determined. But he looks good to me. He’s practicing full speed. He’s getting a ton of reps. So I feel like we’re in good shape.”
A day after [coach Kyle Shanahan](https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/09/06/no-kangaroos-or-crocodiles-but-sf-49ers-practice-is-in-shanahan-sights/) noted the 49ers are “technically in the future” and not obligated by the NFL to announce a participation report until Wednesday morning here, he seemingly permitted his coordinators to
**GUARD MYSTERY**
Kubiak was noncommittal on who’ll start at left guard and whether that spot could rotate multiple players, seemingly Carver Willis and Connor Colby.
**OTHER HEALTH UPDATES**
Cornerback Renardo Green (hamstring), safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring) and defensive end Romello Height (ankle). have impressed Morris in practice returns.
**ITINERARY COMPETITION**
As the 49ers worked through their fifth day here, the Rams were still two days away from flying in from Los Angeles.
“This is unprecedented for both teams. Nobody wants to stand up here and speculate right now,” Kubiak said.”This is the right way to do it.’ Both teams have their reasons for doing it how they’re going to do it. People are probably going to speculate after the game, ‘This was better than the other.’ ”
**AAROND DONALD ADMIRER**
Morris was the Rams’ defensive coordinator in 2021 when they won the Super Bowl with reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald, whose unretirement last week was not welcome news for the 49ers. It didn’t surprise Morris.
” He’s really special. I wish he had stayed retired until at least next week,” Morris said. “We’ve done special things together. We’ve been around each other a lot. … He always stays ready. I used to always joke with him and tell him he’d get fat when he retired, and he told me there was no chance. He’s right. He’s goign to stay in shape and ready to go.
“The Rams provided an opporutnity for him to bocme back. Afte rthe second or third workout you guys reported, I figured he was coming back.”