49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the team's final preseason game that tight end George Kittle had "taken a step back" when discussing Kittle's return from a torn Achilles, but Shanahan didn't elaborate on what that meant for his availability for the start of the regular season.
A report on Sunday indicates that Kittle remains in play for the opener against the Rams in Australia. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Kittle is expected to practice this week as the 49ers prepare for that game.
Kittle came off the physically unable to perform list a week ago in a move that raised hope that he'd be in the lineup in Melbourne and Schefter adds that the tight end has a "legitimate chance" to take part in that game.
Official injury reports will start closer to the September 10 game and 49ers fans will also be watching to see how defensive end Nick Bosa and wide receiver Mike Evans are progressing ahead of the opener.