49ers expect several players back at practice next week

The list of injured San Francisco 49ers players has been lengthy. Not counting players on injured reserve or the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, the team was missing 21 players during Tuesday's practice, the final full session of training camp.

The good news is that few of those injuries are expected to linger into the regular season. The 49ers will open their 2026 campaign against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media on Tuesday and said he expects several players to return to practice next week, with others potentially ready to make the team's overseas trip.

Offensive linemen Robert Jones and Austen Pleasants have been sidelined. Jones is dealing with a calf injury, while Pleasants is working through a knee injury suffered during the 49ers' preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

"Hopefully, we'll get them for our three practices before we go (to Australia)," Shanahan said.

Wide receiver Mike Evans, the 49ers' prized free-agent addition, is dealing with a groin injury after previously missing time with a quad strain. He could also return to practice next week.

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke broke three ribs in the 49ers' preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans. While that sounds significant, Shanahan said the second-year quarterback was close to returning this week and could be back after the team's time off following Thursday night's game.

Tight end George Kittle, who was activated from the PUP list over the weekend, has returned to practice. However, he has yet to participate in team drills. Shanahan is optimistic that could change next week as the 49ers continue to ramp up Kittle's workload following his Achilles injury.

Defensive end Nick Bosa missed much of training camp due to tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee.

"He's doing good," Shanahan said. "Hoping that he can get into practice next week and we'll see how those three days go after the mandatory three days off."

Additionally, wide receiver Jacob Cowing (groin) and cornerback Upton Stout (hip flexor) are expected to return to practice next week.

The statuses of two other players—wide receiver Christian Kirk and offensive tackle Vederian Lowe—weren't as positive. Both are considered candidates to begin the season on injured reserve, which would require them to miss at least the first four games of the regular season.

49ers coach's evolving philosophy on injuries

Shanahan admits that his reaction to injuries has evolved over the years, and the 49ers head coach no longer overreacts to every setback.

"I've had times where we've had a completely healthy camp, and that's changed in the first two weeks, and then you have to adjust throughout the year," Shanahan said. "And I feel like we've done that. I've had times where we've been beat up in camp, and you're worried about stuff, and the season's gone really well in terms of injuries.

"So, I've been doing this a long enough time that I feel like you've almost been in every situation when it comes to those things, so I try not to get too high or low with this stuff. Yeah, it's frustrating when you only have so many days to prepare for Week 1 that you want everyone out there, but I've learned enough not to overreact on it too much.

"The things that I really struggle with is when you lose a guy for the year, like we did [WR] Ricky [Pearsall]. Those are the harder ones. I used to get upset with every little injury, but unless it's a long time, I've learned life's too short to get too upset about it. It can end up being alright."