Kittle doubtful, Samuel out, Bosa 50/50

SANTA CLARA – George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Christian McCaffrey have all scored multiple touchdowns in the 49ers’ recent visits to SoFi Stadium.

None are expected in uniform for Sunday’s return.

Kittle is doubtful, Samuel is out, and McCaffrey will miss a third straight game with potentially more to come, thus robbing the 49ers (1-1) of three offensive mainstays against the Rams (0-2).

Kittle missed his second straight practice Friday because of lingering “soreness” that he initially reported Thursday morning, coach Kyle Shanahan said. Bosa (rib) and Ward (hamstring, knee) were limited Friday.

Shanahan said Bosa’s rib injury occurred in one-on-one drills Thursday. Bosa, who looked unbothered in Friday’s warmups, has started all but one game since returning in 2021 from knee reconstruction; his lone absence came in a 2022 loss at Atlanta in which six defensive starters did not play.

Samuel has not practiced since Sunday’s late calf strain and is expected to miss two weeks. McCaffrey must miss at least three more games while on Injured Reserve, with the potential to sit out more until his Achilles tendinitis fades. Ward has yet to miss a start since joining the 49ers in 2022.

Sunday’s game starts at 1:25 p.m. at SoFi Stadium and will serve as the Rams’ home opener. Over the prior three seasons, McCaffrey and Samuel each scored three touchdowns and Kittle two in their SoFi Stadium visits; the 49ers’ only other touchdowns have come from Jauan Jennings (two), Brandon Aiyuk and Brock Purdy, who comprise a trio that must lead Sunday’s aerial attack.

Kittle, an eighth-year veteran, has been sidelined for 17 games in his illustrious career, but never by a hamstring injury. Instead, ankle, knee, foot and calf issues hindered him before a groin issue kept him out the first two games of 2022. He missed the 2023 regular-season finale with other starters resting up for the playoffs, but a month later, he required core-muscle surgery on an issue that dated back to midseason.

Through Kittle’s four all-time appearances at SoFi Stadium, he has yet to produce more than 39 yards, which he did in 2022 on three catches with one for a touchdown. Eric Saubert likely would start in place of Kittle and Jake Tonges should see more action after just two offensive snaps through two games. Tight ends Brayden Willis and Mason Pline are candidates to get elevated Saturday from the practice squad.

Saubert said of the 49ers being his sixth team in eight years: “There’s a high standard of performance. It’s really cool though, because it elevates your game and you’ve got to be on your stuff. Every day, it doesn’t change. You’ve got to come to work with the expectation that standard is what it is, and if you’re not going to match that you’re not going to play here. It’s why the 49ers have been so successful.”