Next opponent: 49ers have big, ugly issues in Bosa, Kittle, even Purdy

FORNEY, Texas -- The Steelers kick off the 2023-24 NFL season this Sunday, and they've got a tough test right at the start as they host the 49ers.

Here's a snapshot of what San Francisco brings into Week 1:

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Record: 0-0 (13-4 in 2022)
Standing: First, NFC West (in 2022)
Last result: Lost to Eagles, 31-7 (NFC Championship Game)

THE TREND

The 49ers enter the 2023 season with high expectations. Kyle Shanahan's offense unsurprisingly thrived in 2022, especially after San Francisco acquired Christian McCaffrey from the Panthers, and even with Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy under center. 2022's No. 1-ranked defense somehow got even better when they signed Javon Hargrave, formerly of the Steelers.

San Francisco's roster is about as complete as any in the NFL. How complete? Well, even despite having a starting quarterback coming off elbow surgery and the team's best player, Nick Bosa, still holding out for a new contract, general manager John Lynch fielded multiple questions about the team's kicker situation when announcing the initial 53-man roster, telling reporters with a laugh, "I had no idea there were this many kickers out there. I've had more texts from people who've kicked at one point in their life."

Bosa's potential absence is no laughing matter for the 49ers. He's not only the team's best player, but also was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year last season after racking up a league-leading 18.5 sacks. Rightfully so, Bosa is entering the final year of his contract looking for a new one.

Bosa has been a holdout for the duration of camp and preseason, and it's led into the final week before the season starts. The latest from Lynch came in the middle of last week, saying there was still communication between the sides. However, there are "no updates" from that communication, making each day add more doubt that Bosa will suit up Sunday. Lynch was adamant that trading Bosa is not on the table, so it appears the team is committed to figuring things out with the key piece of their defense. When it gets done still remains to be seen.

THE QUARTERBACK

There's no question who's the quarterback in San Francisco anymore, but there are questions.

Purdy enters the season as the starter after running Shanahan's offense efficiently last season, completing 67% of his passes for 1,374 yards, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games.

However, Purdy injured his elbow in the NFC title game last season, and underwent surgery in March. He's made it through camp and the preseason on par with the 49ers' plan for him, including a "de-loading" period last week to keep his arm fresh ahead of the season opener. His throwing has been limited throughout, though no signs of injury have been apparent.

Purdy doesn't carry a lot of pedigree, but proved he can distribute the ball effectively to a slew of playmakers in Shanahan's offense. If his arm is healthy, he's more than capable of being a threat. And, he's not afraid to tuck and run when needed:

He'll be a handful from the preparation standpoint alone.

THE OFFENSE

Shanahan's offense is one of the most difficult in football to defend. It ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing and 13th in passing, but more importantly, the offense put up points, ranking sixth with an average of 26.5 points per game. The 49ers were also efficient on third downs, ranking sixth with a 45.0% third down conversion rate.

Not only is Shanahan's schemes great at creating space for receivers to get open, there are all kinds of weapons at Purdy's disposal. McCaffrey is arguably the most versatile running back in the league. Deebo Samuel is an athletic freak that can line up at receiver or running back. Brandon Aiyuk is a breakout candidate after recording his first career 1,000-yard season last year. When healthy, George Kittle is one of the most dangerous tight ends in the league. Even fullback Kyle Juszczyk is a threat as a receiver. 

Minkah Fitzpatrick knows all too well:

There are weapons everywhere.

If there's a weakness of any kind on the 49ers' offense, it's the depth behind Kittle and the offensive line. Kittle's health is a consistent topic of discussion, and the drop off to Charlie Woerner is significant, as he only has eight career catches in three NFL seasons. On the offensive line, Mike McGlinchey signed with the Broncos in free agency, paving the way for unproven Colton McKivitz to step in at right tackle. While Trent Williams is arguably the top left tackle in the game, the interior of the line is a bit of a question mark with Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel and Spencer Burford having only one year of starting experience.

THE DEFENSE

The 49ers' defense was the class of the NFL in 2022. Not only did they finish in a tie with the Steelers for the league lead with 20 interceptions, they also had the NFL's best scoring defense, allowing only 16.3 points per game. They were also ranked second in the league against the run, allowing only 77.7 yards per game on the ground.

While the defense was great as a whole last season, everything begins on that side of the ball with Bosa, just as it does with T.J. Watt and the Steelers' defense. The 49ers have decent depth on the edge with Clelin Ferrell and Drake Jackson, but you don't just replace 18.5 sacks and the ability to impact the game like Bosa does:

San Francisco fortified their defensive front by adding Hargrave in free agency, giving them an elite player on the interior to pair with Bosa on the edge. If and when Bosa returns, they are going to wreak havoc on offenses.

The 49ers are, however, going through a transition on defense as last year's coordinator DeMeco Ryans left to take the head coaching job for the Texans. Steve Wilks now takes over, but isn't expected to shake things up. San Francisco will still rely on pressuring the quarterback with that stout defensive front, allowing top linebackers Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw to cover a lot of ground in the middle.

THE SPECIAL TEAMS

The 49ers went a very non-traditional route in the draft and selected kicker Jake Moody out of Michigan in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Any high expectations will have to wait as he's battling a quad strain. Normally, the Steelers would have seen a familiar face in the return game, as Ray-Ray McCloud III handles both kick and punt return duties, but he broke his wrist in early August and will miss this game.

THE INJURY REPORT

• George Kittle, TE (groin) -- Been described as a "lingering" injury, and missed practice last week. His participation in practice this week will be a determining factor is his availability, and he missed Monday's practice. Kittle is one of many playmakers on the 49ers' offense. Without quality depth behind Kittle, his absence is significant.

• Elijah Mitchell, RB (tight adductor) -- Took a few days off earlier last week out of precaution. He's the immediate alternative to McCaffrey.

• Jake Moody, K (quad strain) -- Week-to-week, and will likely not be available. Did some kicking off to the side on Monday, but the 49ers signed former Steelers kicker Matthew Wright on Monday.

• Dre Greenlaw, LB (hamstring) -- He didn't practice last Thursday, but returned to practice on Monday. His participation is something to watch this week. His absence could open up room in the middle of the San Francisco defense.

• Ray-Ray McCloud III, WR (broken wrist) -- Underwent surgery in mid-August. He worked off to the side during Monday's practice, but will be out on Sunday.

• Talanoa Hufanga, S (Baker cyst) -- The 49ers' starting strong safety is expected to be back soon. His participation in practice is something to watch this week. He returned to 49ers' practice on Monday.

• Chris Conley, WR (shoulder) -- Day-to-day. He's a depth receiver.

• Jordan Mason, RB (foot sprain) -- Day-to-day. He's far enough down on the depth chart that he may or may not get a helmet, regardless of health.

• Darrell Luter, Jr. (knee) -- Placed on PUP list last week. He's out until at least Week 5. The fifth-round rookie is a depth option when healthy.

• Zane Gonzalez, K (calf strain) -- Likely to miss a few weeks, according to Shanahan. However, he was placed on injured reserve last week. He'll miss the 2023 season, unless he's eventually waived with an injury settlement.

• A.J. Parker, CB (hamstring) -- Placed on injured reserve on Aug. 29. He's the second option at nickelback, so not a significant loss in a stacked 49ers' defense.

• Cameron Latu, TE (meniscus) -- Will undergo surgery. Placed on injured reserve on Aug. 29. He's not the first man up in Kittle's absence, but this further hurts the depth at tight end when Kittle is out.

• Tayler Hawkins, S (fractured hand) -- Will undergo surgery. Placed on injured reserve on Aug. 29. He's the third free safety on the depth chart.

QUOTABLE

"The quarterback, a second-year guy, is looking phenomenal, taking that second-year leap and doing some great things. They have the vertical threats down the field that can make things happen at any given moment, and they have a very impressive, solid run game. We definitely have our hands full coming up with these guys next week." -- Wilks on Kenny Pickett and the Steelers' offense

"Yeah, I can imagine anything. Doesn't mean I like that picture. Of course not. You guys know how we feel about Nick, and we all know how good of a player he is. So hopefully we can come to terms soon and get him here as fast as possible." -- Shanahan on the possibility of playing without Bosa

"I'm thrilled with Brock, thrilled with our staff and all the people that helped him in his excellent recovery. ... This is another step in that. The great news is, I don't have a crystal ball, but I'd imagine he'll go into next week feeling a lot better because the volume was reduced on him this week, and it's all part of the plan." -- Lynch on Purdy's health heading into this week