SANTA CLARA — The biggest questions that were expected to define the 49ers’ training camp played second fiddle to the health of their head coach on the team’s first day together.
After addressing Kyle Shanahan’s status following a serious car crash that left him concussed and coaching only in limited capacity, general manager John Lynch turned his attention to the remainder of the team’s injury report heading into camp.
49ers star linebacker Fred Warner will open camp with no restrictions. AFP via Getty Images
Unlike the shocking development involving their head coach, it was mostly good news.
Four players will begin camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, but none of them will be Nick Bosa or Fred Warner, two key pieces of their defense who missed most of last season.
Bosa, who tore his ACL for the third time of his career in Week 3, will initially be limited to individual drills with the expectation to ramp up activity as the training staff sees fit.
Lynch said the sorely missed sack machine was doing “tremendous” but didn’t set a specific timeline. Bosa has said he intends to be back for their Week 1 game vs. the Rams in Australia.
“Nick has always had a different schedule,” Lynch said. “He’s got a great sense and a great instinct for his body and what he needs.”
Warner, who fractured his ankle in Week 6, will open camp with no restrictions — “full throttle,” Lynch said. The All-Pro linebacker nearly made it back in time for the end of last season and was “basically a healthy player, just training” this offseason.
49ers standout defensive end Nick Bosa initially will be limited to individual drills. Getty Images
Rather than go back home to Florida to recover like he has in past offseasons, Bosa did most of his offseason work at the 49ers’ facilities. So did Warner. It was a busy place over the summer.
“It’s wonderful when your best players are your best leaders,” Lynch said. “I think we’ve got great examples of that in those two players.”
Like Bosa, tight end George Kittle has set an ambitious timeline for his return from the Achilles tendon he tore during their wild-card win over the Eagles on Jan. 11. He also has his eyes on the Sept. 10 season opener, or at the least, “well before November,” he said in January.
Niners tight end George Kittle hopes to be back for Week 1. Getty Images
Kittle, however, was one of four players who will open camp on the PUP list. The list also includes running back Isaac Guerendo, defensive tackle Alfred Collins and defensive end Mykel Williams, the 49ers’ top pick in the 2025 draft who tore his ACL and meniscus in Week 9.
Kittle is “doing everything possible to be ready for Week 1,” Lynch said, adding that the 49ers were “thrilled with his progress.” Likewise, Williams is “making every effort to be ready for Week 1,” according to Lynch. “We’ll let the markers and the medical staff dictate that.”
Brandon Aiyuk update
One player who won’t be seen on the field during the 49ers’ training camp is Brandon Aiyuk.
The troubled receiver was placed on the reserve/left squad list in December and remains there, according to Lynch. That means he will not count toward the 90-man limit on the 49ers’ training camp roster but also prevents him from signing anywhere else.
Lynch mostly declined to address the messy situation, which in its latest turn featured Aiyuk calling the general manager a “weirdo” in a video in which he said Lynch tried to visit him at his house. Lynch declined to confirm whether he attempted to contact Aiyuk.
“I am personally and we as an organization are going to focus on the players that are here,” Lynch said. “We wish him well, and we wish his family well.”
Mourning Aldon Smith
Before Lynch opened the floor to questions, he began by saying a few words to remember Aldon Smith, their former All-Pro defensive end who died last month at age 36.
Smith was drafted by the 49ers seventh overall in 2011 and played four seasons for the organization before going on to play for three other teams before retiring after the 2021 season.
“Anyone who saw Aldon play the game knows that he was a special football player,” Lynch said. “This one hit especially hard because he was a valued member of our organization.
“Right prior to his passing, he had spoken to our rookies and really poured into those guys. It was extremely impactful. So our prayers and thoughts go out to the Smith family as they continue to grieve.”
