George Kittle is still recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered back in January during the NFC Wild Card win against the Philadelphia Eagles. That injury remains the top concern on a San Francisco 49ers injury report that piled up even more after Saturday’s practice, adding to a growing list of question marks as the regular season looms. Not all injuries are the same, and these guys are really mixing hurt with truly injured, leaving a lot of uncertainty for the Niners.
The Big Guns On The Mend
Let’s be real, Kittle’s Achilles tear is a beast. He’s been showing signs of good progress, though, and still aims to play in the 49ers’ season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. That’s a huge commitment. Then you’ve got Nick Bosa, who’s been recovering from an ACL injury he picked up in the 2025 season. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said after practice that Bosa has been steadily improving. “Yeah, he’s making a lot of progress. He has a lot less irritation, soreness and tendinitis, whatever you want to call it, than he had last week. So, we think he’s going in the right direction,” Shanahan explained.
Christian McCaffrey, another absolute star, didn’t even suit up for the 49ers’ 41-17 preseason win against the Los Angeles Chargers. Shanahan kept it tight-lipped when asked why McCaffrey was out, only saying it was “just some tightness” and that McCaffrey would “get sensitive” if he revealed the exact spot. It’s clear they’re being super careful with him, with Shanahan stating after an August 18 practice that if it wasn’t McCaffrey, and it was game week, he would have played. Rounding out the big injuries, defensive lineman Mykel Williams is out with a knee injury. While he’s coming along well, Shanahan sees a Week 1 return as a “long shot.”
New Dings And Day-To-Day Worries
Beyond the major long-term stuff, Saturday’s practice added a whole new batch of concerns. Wideout Christian Kirk is questionable with a calf injury, still working on a side field. Linebacker Nick Martin also landed on the questionable list with a hamstring issue after skipping practice entirely. Rookie receiver De’Zhaun Stribling is questionable and considered day-to-day due to a shoulder injury. Running back Jordan James is questionable with a rib injury, though he did manage to return to practice Saturday. Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is also day-to-day with a shoulder injury and has a questionable status. Even veteran receiver Mike Evans practiced on Saturday despite a hurt quadriceps, but he’s still listed as questionable.
The 49ers are definitely navigating a minefield of injuries as the regular season approaches. With so many players listed as questionable or day-to-day, and key guys like Kittle and Williams racing the clock, their season opener against the Rams in Melbourne, Australia, is going to be a huge test of who’s actually ready to roll. If a player isn’t on this list, they’re expected back, but man, that’s a lot of names to keep track of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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