The San Francisco 49ers are set to make history by playing the first NFL game in Australia. They will face off against their NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams, to start the 2026 season.
Two key players, George Kittle and Nick Bosa, have traveled with the team. Their presence offers hope for fans ahead of the match. Both players have been recovering from injuries. Kittle tore his Achilles during the Wild Card Round against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11. Bosa suffered an ACL tear in Week 3 last season and has experienced tendinitis during the training camp period.
The team has faced challenges with player injuries. New additions like wide receiver Mike Evans and fullback Kyle Juszczyk have also had health issues. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is out due to a PCL injury. However, Kittle and Bosa’s presence in Australia suggests potential reinforcements for the season’s start.
In a previous statement, Kittle hinted that traveling could signal his readiness to play. On Wednesday, the 49ers practiced before departing for Australia, expecting to arrive by Friday, factoring in the 17-hour time difference.
The matchup against the Rams is scheduled for September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET. Locally, it will be Friday morning, 10:35 a.m., at Melbourne Cricket Ground. As the game approaches, the 49ers’ lineup, including Kittle and Bosa, will become clearer.
The Rams have also strengthened their roster. They have returning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and Aaron Donald, who joined the defensive line alongside Myles Garrett after a trade with the Cleveland Browns.
Sports writer Scott Thompson covers this story for Fox News Digital.
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