MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Nick Bosa will suit up for the 49ers and play his first regular-season game near his hometown of Fort Lauderdale.
Bosa was questionable because of oblique and hip injuries that kept him out three games before his return in the 49ers’ Dec. 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Of course, Bosa and five other 49ers starters — Fred Warner, Dre Greenlaw, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Kyle Juszczyk — played at Hard Rock Stadium five seasons ago, in a Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Joining Bosa on the defensive line is Alex Barrett, who will make his season debut and play for the first time since 2020, having been elevated Saturday from the practice squad. Also up from the practice squad are running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn (No. 49), linebacker Jalen Graham (No. 41) and offensive tackle Austen Pleasants (No. 62), the latter two of whom filled spots on the 53-man roster.
Running back Israel Abanikanda will make his 49ers’ debut, wearing No. 20 as a backup to first-time 49ers’ starter Patrick Taylor Jr. Abanikanda played six games last season on the New York Jets.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is also active after being listed as questionable.
Ruled out Friday were left tackle Trent Williams (for the fifth straight game) and running back Isaac Guerendo (hamstring, foot; started two previous games). Defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (ankle) is also out, as are tight end Jake Tonges, defensive tackle Khalil Davis, and cornerback Rock Ya-Sin; Josh Dobbs is the No. 3 emergency quarterback.
Brayden Willis replaces Tonges in the tight end rotation behind George Kittle.
HILL IS ACTIVE
Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill will play after being questionable because of a wrist injury. The Dolphins have won their past 10 games when getting 100 yards or more from Hill, though they lost 33-17 at Levi’s Stadium on Dec. 4, 2022 when Hill had 105 yards on nine catches.
Hill infamously earned a spot in 49ers’ lore with a 44-yard reception on third-and-15 to spark the Chiefs’ fourth-quarter comeback five seasons ago on this field in the Super Bowl.
Out for the Dolphins are wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Ethan Bonner, linebacker Channing Tindall, linebacker Mohamed Kamara, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer and wide receiver Dee Eskridge.