The trip to Melbourne is on
George Kittle and Nick Bosa are getting on a plane this Wednesday. Destination: Australia. NFL Network revealed the San Francisco 49ers duo are making the trip to Melbourne for the season opener. The Niners face the Los Angeles Rams there next Thursday night.
Just the fact both players are travelling is news in itself. Kittle and Bosa are both coming off lengthy injury layoffs. Their place on the Pacific-bound roster suggests San Francisco is seriously considering them for kickoff.
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Kittle closing in on a return, Bosa missed camp
The tight end was taken off the physically unable to perform list on August 23. He was coming back from a right Achilles tear suffered on January 11 in the 49ers’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. According to NFL Network, Kittle put together two strong practice sessions this week and is headed toward a start against the NFC West rival.
His numbers show exactly what San Francisco is getting back. Kittle finished last season with 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. Across his career, he has 595 receptions, 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 appearances, including 116 starts. Seven Pro Bowl selections and four 1,000-yard seasons tell the rest of the story.
Bosa, 28, is returning from even further back. The defensive end tore the ACL in his right knee last September after appearing in just three starts. He had only two sacks and 17 tackles at that stage. He spent most of training camp away from full team drills.
What it means for San Francisco
Picked second overall in the 2019 draft, Bosa has 64.5 sacks, 168 quarterback pressures, 278 tackles, two interceptions and 13 forced fumbles in 85 games. He has also been selected to five Pro Bowls. Getting both men back in Week 1 would change the look of this team on both sides of the ball.
There is still the time difference and a flight of more than 20 hours for two players only just back on their feet. San Francisco has decided to take them. The final call will come on the ground.
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