NFC West Check-In: Injury updates on stars for Rams and 49ers

Rams stars Puka Nacua and Myles Garrett are dealing with minor injuries, while 49ers tight end George Kittle hopes to return from his Achilles injury by Week 1.

BY GREG BEACHAM AND JOSH DUBOW, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Aug 17, 2026, 3:48 PM

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Rams Myles Garrett jogs training camp 2026...

Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Myles Garrett jogs off the field during a July 27 training camp practice. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

(Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Receiver Puka Nacua and defensive end Myles Garrett are likely to sit out the next week of practice with the Los Angeles Rams to rest minor injuries.

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The two All-Pros didn’t practice Monday, and coach Sean McVay said they both could sit out Tuesday and again on Thursday when the Rams host a joint practice with the New Orleans Saints, their preseason opponent at SoFi Stadium on Saturday.

Nacua developed soreness in his psoas muscle during a joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys last week. Garrett, who sat out that joint practice, has been dealing with intermittent knee swelling during his first year with the Rams.

“Puka is doing good, but whether or not we wait for next week, we’re just taking it a day at a time,” McVay said. “Myles, we’ll see. Probably next week is when we’ll be able to get those guys back. Gets to a point where we need our guys out there to be able to practice, to get ready to simulate what’s going to be a great, long, challenging season. We want to make sure it’s a return to performance, not just a return to play.”

NFL sacks leader Garrett did individual workouts before the Rams’ practice Monday, while NFL receptions leader Nacua has done conditioning work and weight training despite the soreness in his core muscles.

“Any time you’re talking about soft tissue, especially with a skill player, or a knee with a guy that does some of the things Myles is doing, we’re going to err on the side of caution,” McVay said.

McVay had less encouraging injury news on rookie offensive lineman Keagen Trost, who will be sidelined for “a few weeks” after injuring his hamstring during the Rams’ preseason opener at Kansas City last Saturday. Trost, a third-round pick from Missouri, is in competition for a backup job.

McVay had no update on the status of retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who went through a second formal workout at the Rams’ training complex last weekend as he contemplates a comeback at 35 years old. Donald has worked out twice at the Rams’ facility as he determines whether he wants to resume his career, and McVay says the Rams will not rush him.

“He’s continuing to go through his process,” McVay said. “There’s a lot of things you try to mimic and emulate, game-like settings and situations, to be able to get clarity on whether he wants to be able to do this or not.”

Kittle hoping to return for Week 1

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle said he expects to come off the physically unable to perform list before the start of the season and remains hopeful that his surgically repaired Achilles tendon will be healthy enough for him to play in Week 1.

Kittle tore his right Achilles on Jan. 11 in a playoff win at Philadelphia and is hoping to be able to get back at practice in time to play Week 1 on Sept. 11 in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.

“I have a chance,” Kittle said Sunday. “We’re running around a lot, hitting top speeds. Hopefully we’re back in pads practicing sooner than later. Just trying to check the boxes and not be (dumb) is what I would say.”

Kittle has made an impressive recovery over the past seven months and has been working out on the side at practice while he remains on the PUP list. Kittle said he expects to come off that list before rosters are cut to 53 players on Aug. 30 so he won’t have to miss the first four games of the season.

The Niners are set to leave for Australia on Sept. 2 and Kittle said he wouldn’t expect to make the long flight unless the team plans to play him against the Rams. The first step will be coming off the PUP list and practicing with his teammates.

“Hopefully I’m in pads sooner than later, because I don’t want my first time to be in pads traveling in Australia,” he said. “Because I just don’t think that’d be a very smart idea. These next couple of weeks that will let me know if I’m ready to play Week 1 or not.”

Kittle said the grueling process that he described as “the most boring rehab in the entire world” was made easier once Dr. Neal ElAttrache told him early on that Week 1 was a possibility, with Kittle saying that helped “light a fire” for him.

But he also knows not to push too hard in case it leads to a setback.

“I want to play in every football game that I possibly can play in,” he said. “But I’m also aware it’s an 18-week season and so hey if you miss Week 1 and you’re playing Week 2, it is what it is. I’m just going keep that as my goal and then we’ll adjust from there if we need to. But I still believe that, my team still believes that, my surgeon still believes I have a chance, so just keep attacking it.”

Kittle is a two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler who is a key part of San Francisco’s offense as a passing threat and a blocker in the run game. He had 57 catches for 628 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season.

He also brings an infectious positivity that inspires his teammates and has helped his speedy recovery.

“That’s how he lives his life,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “That’s how he goes by his every day, and you got to appreciate that about him. To me, that’s what’s going to make him get back from his injury and be himself again is because he has the right mindset. He attacks every day with positivity, that he’s progressing and he’s healing. Just seeing him out there just with the trainers working out, he looks great, and I’m excited to see kind of how he progresses over these next few weeks and where we’re at.”

McCaffrey remains out

Running back Christian McCaffrey remained out of practice with what the team has described as “tightness.” McCaffrey first sat out last Monday and hasn’t been back since even though coach Kyle Shanahan has said he’s not concerned about the injury.

The 30-year-old McCaffrey led the NFL last season with 413 touches from scrimmage in the regular season. McCaffrey played a combined seven games in 2020 and ’24 after leading the NFL in touches the previous season.

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