YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — A 1-0 start has not inflated the 49ers’ egos. Player after player, coach after coach acknowledges they won their opener in Tampa Bay despite mistakes, such as penalties that nullified three touchdowns.

And yet …

“If we can just clean those up, we’re a very dangerous team,” tight end George Kittle said.

A 2-0 start definitely would signal that, and it will take a second straight road win Sunday at Cincinnati if the 49ers are to truly reintroduce themselves as contenders to the NFL world.

Three team captains spoke to the media Thursday — Kittle, left tackle Joe Staley and cornerback Richard Sherman — and they all couched their confidence by noting how far they are from a polished product.

“It’s Week1, you know, so we’ve got a lot of work,” Staley said. “This is a long grind of the season. We feel very confident with the personnel we have here and the work we’re putting in. I’m not saying … We’ve got to take care of this week. While I agree with (Kittle), I don’t want to look too far ahead.”

Staley and Kittle each credited the 49ers defense for bailing out the team’s inefficient offense, as evident by four takeaways and interception returns for touchdown by Sherman and Ahkello Witherspoon.

Sherman’s victory lap Thursday was a humble one.

“We have to be hard on ourselves and we have to be critical,” Sherman said. “You can’t be complacent. We feel good for a first game in knocking the rust off but obviously there are things we can correct and play at an even higher level.”

The 49ers are seeking their first 2-0 start since 2012, and it’s been since 1989 when they won their first two via road games. Last year, the 49ers went 0-8 on the road.

“We have high expectations of ourselves. That’s all we focus on, our expectations,” Kittle said. “We’re going to go out there and try to win every single game. Most NFL teams don’t win 16 games, but we’re going to do our best to do that. That’s our goal.

“We’re just going to try to win them all.”

BOSA STILL NOT PRACTICING

Defensive end Nick Bosa missed a second straight day of practice but it sounds like the 49ers are expecing him to make an encore Sunday after his encouraging yet painful debut. General manager John Lynch, in an interview on 95.7 The Game, said Bosa aggravated his right-ankle sprain on the first snap but powered through it to make one sack and nearly two more.

“He’s doing a really good job getting that (pain) out of there,” Lynch said on 95.7 The Game. “He’ll work limited through the week. He’s fully intent on playing and as for the snaps we’ll see how that goes.”

Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Bosa is working with the 49ers performance staff to get ready, and although Saleh prefers all players practice despite their experience level, he noted that players “in this day and age” come off planes ready to play.”

Bosa’s official status won’t be known until Friday when the 49ers must list players’ projected availability. The 49ers will hold a walk-through practice Friday before flying to Cincinnati.

OTHER HEALTH UPDATES

— Running back Tevin Coleman (ankle) remained out and the 49ers have yet to promote Jeff Wilson from the practice squad, which they’re expected to do Saturday.

Bengals starting running back Joe Mixen also missed a second straight practice with an ankle sprain.

— Wide receivers Trent Taylor (foot) and Jalen Hurd (back) remain out. Taylor has not practiced since undergoing foot surgery a month ago, and Hurd hasn’t participated in a practice or game since the Aug. 19 exhibition at Denver.

— Linebacker Mark Nzeocha returned to practice after falling ill Wednesday. He an interception and a blocked punt against the Bucs.

— Defensive back Jimmie Ward practiced again with a cast on his right hand but Tarvarius Moore is expected to start again at free safety. Related Articles NFL fantasy football: 49ers Week 3 projections at New York Giants

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SCOUTING REPORT ON JIMMY

Bengals first-year coach Zac Taylor knows a thing or two about quarterbacks. He was one at Nebraska in 2005-06, he was the Rams position coach on last year’s Super Bowl team and he saw Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throw for a career-high 418 yards in Sunday’s season-opening loss at Seattle.

What does Taylor think of 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo? His response:

“I’ve always been impressed with him as a thrower, going back to Eastern Illinois. He’s exactly what it looks like. He plays with a great base, he can throw from a lot of different arm angles, strong arm, accurate. You’ve seen really over how many games he’s played he’s had a lot of good moments and there is a lot to be encouraged by if you’re the 49ers. We certainly have a tough task on our hands.”

LYNCH SQUASHES QB DRAMA

Lynch came to Garoppolo’s defense regarding the quarterback’s job security after a shaky season opener:

“I can tell you, we do think really highly of Nick Mullens. We think very highly of C.J. Beathard, as well. But we’ve got a lot of belief in Jimmy Garoppolo, and Jimmy’s our quarterback,” Lynch said on 95.7 The Game.

“Was it perfect the other day? No. But he brings a lot to the table, and our team has a lot of belief in him. And we certainly do. And we’re working hard to try to go out there and be cleaner as a team, and Jimmy is as well. But, he is our quarterback right now, and we’re very happy that that’s the case.”