George Kittle

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• 49ers' George Kittle: Feels on track for Week 1

  27D ago • By RotoWire

  Kittle (Achilles) said Tuesday that he feels "definitely on track" for Week 1 though "nothing is 100 percent certain," David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports. Kittle hedged his answer, saying he "has a chance" to be ready for the start of the regular season, but the veteran tight end has been open about the fact that he's targeting a Week 1 return, as have head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch. Per Florito Maniego of NBC Sports Bay Area, Kittle said Monday that he's already resumed running and has been clocked at over 16 miles an hour, which is a notable step in his recovery an Achilles' tear initially suffered Jan. 11. Throughout spring practices and mandatory minicamp, Kittle worked on the side and with trainers, but it's possible he could be ready to ramp up his activity level during training camp in July.

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• 49ers' George Kittle: Says he's ahead of schedule

  06/04/2026 • By RotoWire

  Kittle (Achilles) said Wednesday that he's "doing great" and is "ahead of schedule" in his rehab, ESPN.com's Nick Wagoner reports. Kittle, coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch have all said Week 1 is the goal, with Kittle noting Wednesday that his surgeon (Dr. Neal ElAttrache) also said it was a realistic goal (back in mid-January when he underwent surgery). While he hasn't been cleared for football activities, Kittle remains a consistent presence at San Francisco's OTAs, doing side work and running with trainers. After Wednesday's practice, Kittle said it was the most he's run since suffering the Achilles' tear Jan. 11. Wagoner notes that the NFL's schedule won't help Kittle's bid to play Week 1, as the 49ers have a long haul to Australia on Sept. 2 ahead of their Sept. 11 matchup with the Rams in Melbourne.

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• 49ers' George Kittle: Still targeting Week 1

  05/27/2026 • By RotoWire

  Kittle (Achilles) said Wednesday that he is still targeting the 49ers' regular-season opener against the Rams in Week 1 as his return date, Cameron DaSilva of USA Today reports. Kittle acknowledged the challenge of completing his rehab in time for Week 1, though he noted that "I was told it's not a crazy goal." Optimism surrounding his recovery has remained steady throughout the offseason, aided by the fact that he suffered what surgeon and team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache described as a "best-case scenario" Achilles tear near the soleus muscle, as Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. GM John Lynch said in late March that he's "hopeful" Kittle will be available Week 1. Still, given the timing of the injury he suffered during San Francisco's wild-card win over the Eagles in January and how capable No. 2 tight end Jake Tonges (foot) looked across his spot starts in 2025, the 49ers are expected to take caution with Kittle's recovery process.

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• 49ers' George Kittle: Aiming to play Week 1

  04/30/2026 • By RotoWire

  Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that Kittle (Achilles) is aiming to be ready for the 49ers' Week 1 game against the Rams, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports. This has been the sentiment all offseason after Kittle suffered a "clean" tear near the soleus muscle higher up on the Achilles in the 49ers' wild-card win over Philadelphia back in January, which typically results in a quicker rehab process. Working against Kittle, however, is his advanced age (32 years old) and just eight months between the injury and Week 1. The 49ers are surely going to be careful with Kittle and not rush him back just to have him at less than 100 percent for the first game of the 2026 season. Jake Tonges (foot) would be next in line at tight end if Kittle isn't ready to face Los Angeles in four months.

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• 49ers' George Kittle: GM hopes for Week 1 return

  03/29/2026 • By RotoWire

  San Francisco general manager John Lynch told reporters Sunday that he is "hopeful" that Kittle (Achilles) will be available for Week 1 of the 2026 season, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports. Lynch noted that Kittle is progressing well in his recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffered in the 49ers' NFC wild-card win over the Eagles in January. Working in Kittle's favor is the fact that he suffered a clear tear near the soleus muscle higher up the Achilles, which typically takes less time to rehab, but whether the veteran tight end is available for the start of the regular season ultimately will come down to his participation in training camp in July and August. Jake Tonges (foot) would be slated to serve as the Niners' TE1 to open the 2026 season if Kittle is not ready to return by then.

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