The 49ers are eagerly anticipating the return of three key players as the NFL offseason gets underway. San Francisco faced a tough 2025 with injuries to some of their biggest stars: defensive end Nick Bosa, linebacker Fred Warner, and tight end George Kittle.
John Lynch, the team's President of Football Operations and General Manager, provided updates at the NFL Scouting Combine, starting with Bosa, who is making significant strides in his recovery from a torn right ACL.
"Nick's doing great," Lynch reported. "His rehab has been excellent. He did it early enough that we anticipate him being ready-maybe not for the entire offseason-but certainly for training camp."
Bosa's injury occurred in Week 3 against the Cardinals, with surgery following on September 26. That places him about five months post-op, and with training camp scheduled for mid-to-late July, he'll be around 10 months into recovery. The typical timeline for ACL recovery ranges from nine to 12 months, so Bosa is on track.
Fred Warner, who suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle in Week 6 against the Buccaneers, made an impressive recovery. He was nearly ready to play had the 49ers advanced further in the playoffs.
"Fred's doing great," Lynch said. "You saw him out there.
It's pretty miraculous, like everything Fred does. His work ethic and mindset are incredible."
Warner is expected to participate fully in San Francisco's offseason program starting in April.
The timeline for George Kittle's return is less certain. Kittle tore his Achilles during the wild-card win over the Eagles. While Achilles injuries typically require nine to 12 months of recovery, Kittle's tear was higher up, near the soleus, which could mean a shorter recovery due to better blood flow.
"The surgery went really well," Lynch explained. "Dr.
Neal ElAttrache noted the tear's location, which has more blood supply. That's a positive for healing.
We're encouraged but won't set a timeline. George feels good, and we feel optimistic about his return."
The 49ers are hopeful that Bosa and Warner will be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, with Kittle not far behind, bolstering both their defense and offense as they aim for a strong season ahead.