First Call: 49ers coach addresses Nick Bosa's snap count vs. Steelers; George Kittle, other Niners return to practice

Thursday’s “First Call” has Steelers reaction to Nick Bosa’s new contract in San Francisco. We detail how much playing time Bosa may get Sunday in Pittsburgh without the benefit of a training camp.

Plus, Bosa’s return is just one of many good news items for the 49ers. And it is Josh Dobbs’ show under center in Arizona.

Playing coy

Now that we know star defensive end Nick Bosa will be with the San Francisco 49ers when they visit Acrisure Stadium, the question becomes how much he will play with no preseason games or training camp practices under his belt.

“How many snaps are in the game?” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan quipped when asked that question by reporters Wednesday. “I’m just joking. We gotta see when he gets here. I know Nick will come in shape. I know he’ll be good … We’ll be smart with it.”

Bosa held out all of the preseason and training camp awaiting a contract extension. He was set to enter the fifth-year option on his entry-level contract. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he ended up getting a five-year, $170 million deal, surpassing the recent agreements of T.J. Watt and Aaron Donald as the highest-paid defender in NFL history.

As far as the guaranteed money goes, it’s $122.5 million. Bosa is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after recording 18.5 sacks in 2022.

If you want a comparison, Watt played 69 of 85 (81%) defensive snaps in the Steelers 2021 opener against the Buffalo Bills after a similar 11th hour signing for his whopper of a contract extension.

The difference is that Watt was at least in and around the team facility and meetings, even if he wasn’t taking part in practice. Meanwhile, Bosa has been holding out entirely.

Going with ‘Plan A’

Steelers tackle Dan Moore Jr. said on Monday that he was personally preparing to block Bosa, regardless of some doomsday reports that Bosa’s holdout may drag into the regular season.

That sentiment was echoed by quarterback Kenny Pickett on Wednesday, a few hours before the signing became official.

“We’re all expecting him to play,” Pickett said Wednesday afternoon. “I’m sure they’ll figure it out and get it done, and he’ll be there in the stadium on Sunday. We have a plan for him if he’s there and, if not, we’ll adjust.”

Well, I guess they don’t have to adjust now. So I asked receiver George Pickens if that original plan involves getting rid of the ball a lot faster whenever Bosa is on the field.

“For sure. That’s like if T.J. (Watt) isn’t playing or if he is. Bosa is a great player. We already know that. We respect him. But we’re not really watching him if he plays or if he doesn’t play,” Pickens said.

San Francisco Chronicle 49ers beat writer Eric Branch says that the team is 37-14 with Bosa since 2019. They are 5-10 without him during that time.

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Fortunate 49ers

Bosa’s return wasn’t the only bit of good news for 49ers fans on Wednesday. Most of their other banged up players at least were able to practice in some capacity.

According to Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, star tight end George Kittle came back to practice after being hampered by a nagging groin injury. Nicked-up defensive players Talanoa Hufanga, Tashaun Gipson Sr. and Dre Greenlaw all practiced too.

Even former Steeler Ray-Ray McCloud, who recently suffered a broken wrist and was initially expected to be out until October, thinks he could be back to action Sunday.

#49ers practice sights:
Kittle (groin) participating, as are Hufanga, Gispon, Greenlaw, after their rehabs
Purdy all clear
All running backs practicing: McCaffrey, Juszczyk, Mitchell, Mason, Davis-Price
PR McCloud has been catching punts on side and expects to play pic.twitter.com/4ylME7GYHG

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 6, 2023

Kicker Jake Moody should be good to go as well.

“Just as long as he doesn’t have a setback,” Shanahan said via ProFootballTalk.com. “He’s looking good now and I feel good about him and I’d be surprised if he’s not there. So, we’ll keep going at the pace we’re at. As long as he doesn’t have a setback, we should be all right.”

If he can’t go, former Steeler Matthew Wright will be San Francisco’s kicker.

Nod to Dobbs

There has been speculation since he was acquired. Now it really sounds like it is going to happen.

Former Steeler quarterback Josh Dobbs is going to start on opening day for the Arizona Cardinals against the Washington Commanders. That’s the word from the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Dobbs, who also has had stints with the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Detroit Lions will now be under center to start 2023 for the Cards. He was acquired via a trade with Cleveland (with a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft) in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Rookie Clayton Tune will be second string. In two outings with Tennessee last year, Dobbs completed 58.8% of his passes for 411 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Cardinals’ usual starter is Kyler Murray. But he suffered a torn ACL last season and is still recovering from the injury.