Defensive end Nick Bosa will make his much-anticipated return to the field when the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams this week in Melbourne, Australia.
"He's going (to play)," 49ers defensive coordinator Raheem Morris told reporters on Tuesday in Australia, per ESPN.com. "We are not hiding that."
Bosa missed 14 games last season after tearing his ACL during a Week 3 win over the Cardinals, and the five-time Pro Bowl selection had been limited in training camp and the preseason due to knee tendinitis.
Bosa, however, returned to practice fully on Sept. 2 for the first time since his injury.
Bosa and tight end George Kittle (torn Achilles) made last week's flight to Australia with their teammates, which was considered a key step in their bid to play Week 1.
Kittle, who was activated off the 49ers' physically unable to perform list on Aug. 23, is trending in the right direction to play at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday (Thursday in the United States).
"We've got to see how he gets through the rest of the week," offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said, per ESPN.com. "We've got two more practices, but Kittle looks good."
Kittle tore his Achilles during the 49ers' Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles and is coming off a season in which he caught 57 passes for 628 yards with seven touchdowns for his fifth-consecutive Pro Bowl selection (seventh overall).
The 49ers and Rams kick off at 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday.
