Bosa Cleared, Donald Uncertain For NFL's Australia Opener
The NFL's Week 1 slate opens Wednesday with a Super Bowl rematch between the Patriots and Seahawks, but attention across the league is also fixed on Australia, where the Rams and 49ers meet Thursday in Melbourne. San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris confirmed Monday that Nick Bosa will play, while Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald remained noncommittal about traveling or suiting up.
Bosa tore his right ACL in Week 3 last season and dealt with knee tendinitis in training camp before returning to practice last week and flying with the team. "He's going [to play]. We are not hiding that," Morris told reporters. San Francisco finished last in the NFL in sacks last season, making Bosa's return significant for a defense seeking a faster start. Donald, who came out of retirement Aug. 30 to rejoin Los Angeles, is still working through a conditioning ramp-up; head coach Sean McVay has said the full roster is expected to make the trip, but Donald's snap count and active status remain under day-to-day evaluation. sumo betting
Elsewhere, the Atlanta Falcons formally named Tua Tagovailoa their Week 1 starter against Pittsburgh, with Michael Penix Jr. still recovering from season-ending knee surgery and Cooper Rush set to serve as backup. Tagovailoa completed 67.7% of his passes for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 starts last season in Miami. In Cleveland, head coach Todd Monken said rookie sixth-round pick Taylen Green could be active for Week 1 against Jacksonville, potentially ahead of Shedeur Sanders on the QB3 depth chart behind starter Deshaun Watson; Dillon Gabriel was placed on injured reserve with a back injury. The Dallas Cowboys, meanwhile, will be without All-Pro guard Tyler Smith for 4-to-6 weeks after thumb surgery, with T.J. Bass stepping in as starting left guard. The New York Giants released longtime wide receiver Darius Slayton, who had 296 catches, 4,435 yards and 22 touchdowns over seven seasons with the team, clearing roster space ahead of their opener against Dallas.
The Rams-49ers game marks the first regular-season NFL contest played in Australia, adding logistical and physical strain for both rosters. Bosa's clearance gives San Francisco's pass rush a boost heading into the opener, while Donald's uncertain status leaves the Rams' front line plans unsettled until closer to kickoff. Dallas opens its season Sunday night at New York against the Giants, a matchup now shaped by injuries and roster moves on both sides.
