Niners make Bosa top-paid defender

Nick Bosa’s lengthy contract holdout ended four days before the start of the season for the 49ers when he agreed to a contract extension that will make him the NFL’s richest defensive player ever.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that the two sides agreed to the contract and that Bosa is on his way to the team facility.

Shanahan said Bosa would have to show up with a “beer belly” and “be out of shape” not to play the season opener at Pittsburgh on Sunday but added that’s “not in Bosa’s DNA.”

ESPN first reported the extension and said it was worth $170 million over five seasons with $122.5 million guaranteed. The average annual payout of $34 million tops the previous mark of $31.7 million for Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and the guarantees top the $102 million Bosa’s older brother, Joey, got from the Chargers in 2020.

Rams’ Kupp, Bennett out

Rams receiver Cooper Kupp and backup quarterback Stetson Bennett will miss the season opener in Seattle on Sunday because of injuries.

Coach Sean McVay said the Rams are considering whether to put Kupp on injured reserve for at least four weeks. The Super Bowl 56 MVP injured his hamstring during training camp in early August, and he had a setback last week.

Bennett has a right shoulder injury that will delay his potential NFL debut, McVay said.

Brett Rypien will be Stafford’s backup and the only other quarterback on the roster when the Rams face Seattle.

Bengals’ Burrow good to go

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went full speed in practice and said he’s on track to play in Sunday’s opener at Cleveland after

a calf injury sidelined him for most of the preseason.

Chiefs’ Jones may play

All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has been in the midst of a contract dispute, left open the possibility that he could be on the field for the Chiefs when they open the season Thursday night against the Lions.

Panthers’ Burns at practice

Panthers two-time Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Burns returned to practice amid stalled talks on a contract extension, although his status for Sunday’s Week 1 game at Atlanta remains uncertain.

Saints rookie QB suspended

Saints rookie reserve quarterback Jake Haener has been suspended for the first six games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers, a league spokesman said.