Iowa's Connor Colby Battles for 49ers Starting Job as Nick Bosa Returns
San Francisco 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa will play in Friday's season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, his first game action since tearing a knee ligament last September. The 49ers confirmed Tuesday that Bosa, who tore the ACL in his right knee on Sept. 21, is ready to go after returning to practice last week.
For Iowa football fans, there's a local angle worth watching: former Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Connor Colby is in the mix for the starting left guard job with the 49ers. Colby, a seventh-round pick in 2025, started six games at guard last season but struggled at times. He began training camp as the starter but failed to solidify the role.
Bosa's return sparks hope for struggling pass rush
The 49ers are counting on a healthy Bosa to revive a pass rush that finished last in the NFL with just 20 sacks last season. Bosa has recorded at least nine sacks in each of his five healthy seasons since being drafted second overall in 2019. He made the Pro Bowl in all five of those seasons and won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, when he led the league with 18.5 sacks.
Bosa's 74.5 sacks in the regular season and playoffs rank fifth-most in the NFL since 2019, despite missing nearly two full seasons to injury. His 280 total pressures rank fourth-most in that span, according to Sportradar.
Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris made it clear there's no mystery about Bosa's status.
He's going out there. He'll be there. We're not hiding that.
George Kittle also set to return
Star tight end George Kittle is also expected to play in his first game since rupturing his right Achilles tendon in the playoffs last January. Kittle returned to practice late last month and is set to go against the Rams.
Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak praised Kittle's recovery.
Super impressed with how he's looked considering the injury he had and how quickly he got back out on the field and just committed to his rehab. It's been pretty cool to see Kittle out there looking like himself to me, looking fresh. How that affects him on game day and what the workload is, that will be determined. But he looks good to me. He's practicing full speed. He's getting a ton of reps. So I feel like we're in good shape.
Kittle, a two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, had 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He remains a key part of San Francisco's offense as both a receiving threat and a blocker in the run game.
Left guard battle: Colby vs. rookie Carver Willis
The one major uncertainty for the 49ers' opener is at left guard, where several players have rotated with the starters during training camp. The leading contenders are Colby and rookie Carver Willis, a fourth-round pick out of Washington who played tackle in college but has been working at guard this summer.
Kubiak wouldn't say who will get the nod, and he didn't rule out a rotation at the position.
Colby, who played collegiately at Iowa, has a chance to prove he belongs after a rocky rookie campaign. His experience starting six games last season gives him an edge in familiarity, but Willis's upside as a draft investment could factor into the decision.
What this means for 49ers fans and Iowa football fans
For 49ers fans, Friday's game in Melbourne marks the start of a season that hinges on health and production from key players like Bosa and Kittle. For Iowa fans, Colby's potential starting role offers a point of pride and a reason to tune in.
The 49ers open the season against the Rams at 8 p.m. CT Friday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.
John Damon is a sports contributor for Just The News Iowa.