Shanahan says Kittle and Bosa's rehab will be evaluated in three pre-season practices ahead of Australia opener

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers will rely on three practice sessions this week to gauge the readiness of tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa ahead of the team's season-opening game in Melbourne, Australia. The team’s schedule has been compressed because the squad departs for Australia on Wednesday evening, more than a week before the September 10 kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams.

Shanahan explained that the coaching staff will balance the players’ workloads, avoiding back-to-back sessions and tailoring each practice to the individual’s rehab progress. He added that the usual three-day break after the initial practices will not occur because of the travel schedule, and the final assessment that normally happens on a “bonus Monday” will instead take place after the team lands in Australia.

When asked whether a decision on Kittle’s participation should be made before the flight, Shanahan said it would be preferable to know in advance if a player is unlikely to play, noting that being away from team meetings and training for a week would be detrimental. He expressed hope that the three practices will provide a clear picture and simplify the decision-making process.

The 49ers have practice sessions scheduled for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before the long flight that will bring them to the southern hemisphere on Friday morning.