49ers defensive end Nick Bosa intends to play in opener - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa has been back with his team for only two days, but he left no doubt Friday that he intends to play Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

«I'm confident,» Bosa said. «I'm not sure what [coach] Kyle [Shanahan's] plan is, but I would be up for [a] normal workload, for sure.»

Bosa, speaking to Bay Area media for the first time since signing a record-setting five-year, $170 million contract extension that includes $122.5 million in guarantees Friday morning, took part in practice on a limited basis Thursday and then was listed as a full participant in San Francisco's half-speed Friday session.

On Wednesday, Shanahan indicated he expected Bosa to play Sunday, joking that the only way that wouldn't happen is if Bosa showed up with a «beer belly.» That did not happen and the Niners were sufficiently pleased with how Bosa returned after a 43-day holdout.

«He looked exactly how we were expecting him to look,» Shanahan said. «Looks in real good shape. Looks ready to go. We got an idea how we're going to use him and I think he'll do all right.»

As for how much Bosa will play against the Steelers, that remains to be seen. Defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said Thursday that would be determined by how the game goes.

«It is not really trying to put a limit on what he can do,» Wilks said. «It's just trying to get a feel, and once we get into the game and then go from there.»

In the bigger picture, Bosa expressed excitement and relief that he will get to play his snaps for the 49ers well beyond Sunday's game. After his 2022 Defensive Player of the Year campaign, Bosa said multiple times he was confident a new contract would be hammered out either before or right after