Monday, February 24, 2025, 11:17AM |  32°
MENU
Advertisement
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.
1
MORE

5 things to know about the 49ers: Nick Bosa's holdout, George Kittle's injury loom large

Getty Images

5 things to know about the 49ers: Nick Bosa's holdout, George Kittle's injury loom large

The Steelers open their season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Acrisure Stadium. Here are five things to know about the NFC West foe ahead of Week 1.

Nick Bosa is still holding out — As of Tuesday morning, the prolific pass rusher was still nowhere to be seen at Niners facilities as he seeks a long-term extension that would make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in football. The 25-year-old has one year remaining on his rookie deal before he’s set to hit free agency this coming spring, so it’s understandable that he’d like to leverage his All-Pro talents into some security before subjecting himself to possible injury. That said, the dance has long since passed the point of being productive for either side. Bosa hasn’t seen a single practice rep. And his absence no doubt has a massive impact on the game plan his coaches are attempting to put together. If there’s no deal soon in the next 48 hours or so, it’s hard to imagine anyone will be comfortable with Bosa jumping directly into the proverbial fire and being his disruptive self. He posted 18.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss last season. And his 90.9 PFF grade ranked third among NFL pass rushers, ahead of the Steelers’ T.J. Watt and behind only the Browns’ Myles Garrett and the Cowboys’ Micah Parsons. Can he be that guy coming in mostly cold, though? That is the biggest question looming over the week ahead, even if the dispute is somehow resolved in a timely manner.

George Kittle’s status is also up in the air — As if the Bosa situation was not enough Week 1 drama, it’s also not clear what’s going to happen with the Niners’ star tight end. The San Francisco Chronicle’s Eric Branch reported Monday that the groin injury that kept Kittle off the practice field Monday may well prevent him from suiting up Sunday. His appearance running sprints on a side field was an encouraging sign, but groin injuries are notoriously tough for players to deal with when getting hit, so it’s an open question whether he could actually block or make any tough catches over the middle right now. If he’s out, it would obviously be a big loss for this offense. Kittle hasn’t been the 1,000-yard receiver of his early career lately — his 60 catches last season were his fewest in at least 15 games of action since his rookie campaign in 2017. But he’s still a massive red zone threat, evidenced by his 11 touchdown catches a year ago. That’s a guy the Steelers would certainly prefer not to deal with, so keep an eye on Kittle’s status throughout the week.

Advertisement

Gunner Olszewski makes a catch on day two of the Steelers training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe on Friday, July 28, 2023.
Brian Batko
Brian Batko's Steelers mailbag: Why is Gunner Olszewski still in Pittsburgh?

Brock Purdy is their guy now — Jimmy Garoppolo is now gone to Las Vegas. Former top draft pick Trey Lance was traded to Dallas during the preseason. That leaves the man who started last season behind them on the depth chart as the only truly viable guy under center for coach Kyle Shanahan’s prolific offense. No one seriously believes in habitual underachiever Sam Darnold or career journeyman Brandon Allen as alternatives. So pretty much all of the Niners’ hopes are resting on Purdy’s ability to come back from the elbow injury that ended his 2022 campaign in the NFC championship. Fortunately for them, the preseason results signaled that, at the very least, he’s healthy enough to carry the burden. He completed nine of 14 passes for 138 yards and a solid QB rating of 96.7 in a pair of appearances. Not quite Kenny Pickett-level performance. But good enough to indicate that he’s ready to play. The big question now is whether he’s talented enough to hold up against a full NFL schedule after logging meaningful time in just eight games a year ago, so the Steelers defense will be a nice test of exactly how ready for prime time he is as the sole focus of opposing game plans.

Christian McCaffrey is healthy and has help — Before last season, the star running back had not played in at least 16 games since 2019. But he has the help around him in San Francisco to limit wear and tear. Receiver Deebo Samuel is back and always a threat to run in Shanahan’s offense. He averaged 5.5 yards on 42 carries in 2022. And Elijah Mitchell is back at full strength, too. McCaffrey’s primary backup was even more lethal in five games a year ago, averaging 6.2 yards per carry. The pressure is no longer all on the 27-year-old McCaffrey like it was in Carolina. And so it will be interesting to see how the Steelers handle these diverse threats in the running game. Run defense was a major point of improvement, but practically the entire inside linebacking corps has been replaced with names including Elandon Roberts, Cole Holcomb and Kwon Alexander. McCaffrey and Co. will be a major test of the promise those guys showed in training camp and the preseason.

Familiar face Javon Hargrave was the big free agent addition — The former Steeler signed a four-year, $84 million deal with $40 million guaranteed this offseason, so all eyes will be on him to see how he fares against his former team in Week 1. Last season, he was a force for the Steelers to reckon with when they traveled to face him in Philadelphia. He piled up eight tackles — including six solo — two sacks and a forced fumble in a dominant 35-13 Eagles victory. For the season, he totaled 11 sacks and achieved a PFF pass rushing grade of 90.8. That all happened along a stacked Eagles defensive front, though. It remains to be seen how Hargrave can look as the focus of opposing blockers — especially if Bosa either doesn’t play or is limited in snap count or effectiveness after missing so much time.

Advertisement

Adam Bittner: abittner@post-gazette.com and Twitter @fugimaster24.

First Published: September 5, 2023, 3:38 p.m.
Updated: September 5, 2023, 6:40 p.m.

RELATED
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett makes his entrance onto the field before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh.
Joe Starkey
Joe Starkey: The biggest star in the Steelers vs. 49ers Week 1 opener is…
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward celebrates after he pulled in the ball after linebacker Alex Highsmith forced a fumble on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the first quarter, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, at Paycor Stadium.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Can the Steelers win more than 10 games in tough AFC North?
Joey Porter Jr. who was drafted No.32 overall and the first pick of the second round in the NFL draft on Friday April 28, 2023 appears before the media at the UPMC Rooney Complex on the South Side that night as a new Steeler.
Gerry Dulac
Joey Porter Jr. is ready to play with the big boys — but not as a starter — in Week 1
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin points to one of his players during an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in Tampa, Fla.
Gerry Dulac
Gerry Dulac's Steelers chat transcript: 09.06.23
Kenny Pickett of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on under center against the Baltimore Ravens during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
WATCH: Ex-Steeler quarterback Charlie Batch sees similarities between Kenny Pickett and a young Ben Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) is introduced before an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Pittsburgh.
Paul Zeise
Paul Zeise: Expectations for the Steelers are incredibly high — maybe too high
Desmond King II of the Houston Texans runs the ball during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas.
Ray Fittipaldo
New CB Desmond King feels like he's found a home with the Steelers
Steelers tackle Broderick Jones warms up before practice on the last day of Steelers training camp this season at St. Vincent College in Latrobe on Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023.
Brian Batko
Steelers rookie progress report: 2023 draft class is already unprecedented
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (97) runs a play against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz.
Ray Fittipaldo
Steelers are hoping 49ers star Nick Bosa doesn’t pull a T.J. Watt in season opener
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) participates in the NFL football team's training camp workout in Latrobe, Pa., Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers-49ers: Is Kenny Pickett ready for NFL's No. 1 defense?
SHOW COMMENTS (22)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
'We will fight back': Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president's administration
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022.
2
news
Officer killed in York hospital shootout was PennWest California graduate
Pirates starting pitcher Mitch Keller warms up in the outfield befiore their first home game of the Grapefruit League season at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida, on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025.
3
sports
3 takeaways from Pirates’ second straight win to start spring training
York County District Attorney Timothy J. Barker reacts during a news conference regarding the shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York, Pa. on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
4
news
Police officer killed, gunman dead in shooting at UPMC Memorial Hospital in York
The University of Pittsburgh's Cathedral of Learning
5
business
Amid funding uncertainty, Pitt pauses doctoral admissions
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass against the Dallas Cowboys during the third quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Levi's Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.  (Getty Images)
Getty Images
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story