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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Feels on track for Week 1
George 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Says he's ahead of schedule
George 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 San Francisco 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Still targeting Week 1
George Kittle (Achilles) said Wednesday that he is still targeting the San Francisco 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Aiming to play Week 1
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that George Kittle (Achilles) is aiming to be ready for the San Francisco 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: GM hopes for Week 1 return
San Francisco general manager John Lynch told reporters Sunday that he is "hopeful" that George 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 San Francisco 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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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Eyeing expedited return from injury
George Kittle said Monday that the right Achilles surgery he underwent last week went as well as possible, and the tight end said he expects to return to action "well before November" during the 2026 season, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.Though a more definitive target date for his return won't become apparent until he's further along in the rehab process, Kittle is optimistic that he'll face a shorter recovery timeline than most players because he suffered a clear tear near the soleus muscle. Since that muscle is located higher up on the Achilles and he didn't need surgery on his heel, Kittle said that his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, termed the procedure as a "best-case scenario." Kittle still appears likely to open training camp on a reserve list while he recovers, but he's not closing the door on being ready to play by Week 1, when he would be approximately eight months removed from surgery.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Officially placed on IR
The San Francisco 49ers placed George Kittle (Achilles) on injured reserve Wednesday.This is merely a procedural move after Kittle was diagnosed with a torn right Achilles following this past Sunday's wild-card victory in Philadelphia. Coach Kyle Shanahan announced Tuesday that Kittle was slated for surgery Wednesday, after which point his rehab will start in earnest. Considering the timing of the injury and the expected lengthy recovery timeline, Kittle appears destined to miss a decent portion of the 2026 season. As for the 49ers' current playoff run, Jake Tonges will be the biggest beneficiary as a pass catcher among the remaining tight ends, but Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis also are on hand for snaps and targets.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Surgery on tap Wednesday
San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that George Kittle (Achilles) will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday.Kittle will have his surgery three days after tearing his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter of a 23-19 win over the Eagles in the wild-card round. Since most Achilles tears typically entail 9-to-12-month recovery periods, Kittle appears likely to be sidelined for at least some portion of the 2026 season. Jake Tonges will serve as the San Francisco 49ers' top pass-catching tight end in Kittle's absence for the duration of the team's playoff run, and blocking specialist Luke Farrell may also be in line for added snaps.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Torn Achilles confirmed
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after Sunday's 23-19 wild-card win over the Eagles that George Kittle tore his Achilles during the game, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.Kittle exited in the first half due to an Achilles injury. The San Francisco 49ers found a way to advance after losing their star tight end due to injury, but the diagnosis of a torn Achilles means Kittle won't rejoin his teammates on the field during their playoff run, as Kittle will face a recovery timeline of more than six months. He may not be available for the start of the 2026 regular season.
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by RotoWire Staff | RotoWire
49ers' George Kittle: Suffers Achilles injury Sunday
George Kittle won't return to Sunday's playoff game against the Eagles after sustaining an Achilles' injury.After being carted off the field Sunday, it didn't take the San Francisco 49ers long to rule Kittle out for the remainder of the contest. Look for the tight end to undergo further testing later Sunday or Monday, but it looks like he may be dealing with a serious injury. In his absence, Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell are San Francisco's available TEs.
George Kittle
#85 TE / San Francisco 49ers / EXP: 10YRS Height: 6-4 Weight: 250 lb Age: 32 College: Iowa Bye 8Fantasy Points by Week
- PROJ
- FANTASY PTS
- Rost
- 98%
- Start
- 54%
- TE Rank
- 11