The 49ers designated Kittle (calf) for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Keiana Martin of the team's official site reports.
San Francisco made the first of two procedural moves to get Kittle back on the active roster, the second of which will be his outright activation to the 53-man. For the time being, his 21-day window has opened for him to practice and test out his previously sore calf. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Wednesday that the 49ers will reintegrate Kittle slowly, with the "real test" to happen at Thursday's session. Shanahan also said they are "not counting on it 100 percent" for Kittle to suit up Sunday versus the Cardinals, so the aforementioned test may be the selling point, one way or another.