Nick Bosa is absolutely suiting up for the San Francisco 49ers’ game in Australia. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris just confirmed it, no holds barred. “He’s going [out there]. He’ll be there. We’re not hiding that,” Morris told the media, putting an end to any doubts about their star edge rusher’s availability for Friday’s big matchup. This isn’t just some vague maybe; this is a full-on commitment from the coaching staff, signaling their confidence in Bosa’s recovery and readiness to hit the field when it counts.
The Green Light and The Full Pads
The news comes hot on the heels of Bosa himself saying he had a “great day” a week ago while opening up about his recovery journey. It’s clear that the 49ers and Bosa have seen everything they needed to see during this most recent set of practices. Morris’s confident declaration isn’t just talk. Bosa was actually in full pads during Tuesday’s session in Melbourne. You don’t get in full pads if you’re not ready to go full throttle, right? Defensive Coordinator Raheem Morris didn’t just hint, he made it explicitly clear that Bosa is expected to play Friday. This guy is the cornerstone of their defense, so getting him back out there, especially after such a focused recovery period, is a massive vote of confidence for the team heading into this international clash.
Immense Pressure, Heavy Lifting Ahead
Let’s be real: the 49ers came into this season with their entire defense essentially centered on Nick Bosa. The pressure on his shoulders was already immense from day one. Now, with Sam Okuayinonu breaking his foot and landing on the Injured Reserve list, Morris might have to rely on his star edge rusher even more than planned. That’s a huge ask for any player, let alone one coming back from recovery. The big question swirling around the team is how soon they can load up Bosa’s plate. You definitely don’t want to push him too hard, too fast. It’s a long season, and he’s going to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting for that entire edge rushing group. It’s entirely possible it will take Bosa a few games to play himself completely back into football shape, meaning fans might need to temper expectations for immediate, game-wrecking performances.
Kittle’s Recovery and Workload Watch
On the offensive side of the ball, there’s also some major news. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak spoke highly about George Kittle’s progress. Kubiak mentioned he was “Super impressed with how he’s looked, considering the injury and how quickly he got back onto the field.” That’s high praise for a player bouncing back. However, Kubiak also added that Kittle’s workload is “still to be determined.” So while Kittle looks good, it’s not a guarantee he’ll be a full-go right away either. It seems like the 49ers are managing their key players carefully as they navigate the early part of this season.
All eyes will be on Bosa and Kittle come Friday on that field in Australia. Can Bosa shake off the rust quickly and dominate? Will Kittle be able to make an immediate impact, or will his snaps be limited? The 49ers are counting on these guys, and the way they manage their return will definitely set the tone for the season ahead.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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