Tag: George Kittle

49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) likely out against Bears

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers are planning to play without star tight end George Kittle in a key NFC game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night at Santa Clara, Calif.

ESPN reported Kittle, who has been fighting an ankle injury, is not expected to play, while NFL Network said he will work out before the game starts but is doubtful.

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, listed as questionable because of knee and ankle injuries, likely will play, per ESPN.

Kittle, twice a first-team All-Pro selection, has played in just 10 games this season due to injuries. He has 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdown receptions.

The 32-year-old has 590 career catches for 7,979 yards and 52 touchdown receptions in 123 career games (115 starts).

Pearsall, 25, has played just eight games (all starts) this season with 31 catches for 443 yards. He appeared in 11 games as a rookie last season, with 31 catches, 400 yards and three scores.

San Francisco and Chicago both enter the game Sunday night with 11-4 records, and both still are alive to earn the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC.

The 49ers must win their next two games (Bears, Seattle Seahawks) and the Bears need to win their next two (49ers, Lions) and have Seattle lose once to earn the top seed.

–Field Level Media

Sep 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) on the field during warm ups prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

49ers TE George Kittle plans to return from injury vs. Falcons

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers might finally have some good news on the injury front.

Six-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle told reporters Thursday that he plans on playing Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday.

Kittle has been out since the season opener after the 49ers placed him on the injured reserve list with a right hamstring injury. He revealed to the media that his hamstring was fully torn, although it didn’t tear off the bone.

“I just felt like a rubber band snapped in my hamstring,” Kittle said. “I was like, ‘Ah, I’ve just got to go to the locker room after that one.’”

Kittle’s practice window opened this week, and he has a full 21 days to return. He said he wanted to wait until he was 100 percent before coming back, although the star pass-catcher acknowledged his status for Sunday depends on head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“It’s up to him,” Kittle said. “But, hopefully, I’m out there. Which I think I will be.”

Jake Tonges has filled in during Kittle’s absence, recording 25 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns. Tonges also made the game-winning catch against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Kittle’s impending return offers the 49ers a bit of respite from the injury bug. San Francisco has lost multiple stars for the season, including defensive lineman Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. The 49ers have also been without key pieces such as starting quarterback Brock Purdy and receiver Brandon Aiyuk for large chunks of the campaign.

Purdy, who has missed the last two games after aggravating his toe injury, and Mac Jones (knee/oblique) were back on the field for the start of practice Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. Receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Marquez Valdes-Scantling (calf) did not practice Thursday, along with defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos (knee/hamstring).

Despite the bad injury luck, the 49ers (4-2) are tied atop the NFC West.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (left) with tight end George Kittle (85) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

49ers QB Brock Purdy, TE George Kittle return as limited practice participants

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle will return to practice on Wednesday as limited participants.

Purdy has missed four of the past five games due to a turf toe injury initially sustained in the season-opening road win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7 and aggravated during a Sept. 28 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kittle, 32, has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener and missed five games for the 49ers (4-2), who host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. With Kittle officially designated to return, he will have 21 days to practice and be activated to the 53-man roster or return to IR and be out for the season.

Purdy, 25, has thrown for 586 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions on 73 passes. His replacement, Mac Jones, has been dealing with knee and oblique issues but still has started four games, going 3-1 and passing for 1,252 yards and six TDs with three picks.

Both were listed as limited for practice on Wednesday, with Shanahan saying, “Brock is more limited than Mac.”

For his career, Purdy has completed 67.4% of his passes for 10,104 yards and 68 touchdowns with 31 interceptions in 42 regular-season games, going 24-14 as a starter. He also has thrown for 1,343 yards, six TDs and one pick in six playoff games (all starts).

San Francisco used the 262nd and last overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft to select Purdy in the seventh round. He was in the Pro Bowl the next season.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting in the first half of the 49ers’ 17-13 win over the Seahawks.

He caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. Kittle has four career 1,000-yard seasons as part of his career totals of 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 TDs in 114 regular-season games (106 starts).

Kittle has another 33 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs in 12 playoff games (all starts). He is a two-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection.

He became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers GM ‘fairly confident’ star TE George Kittle practices next week

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that he is “fairly confident” that All-Pro tight end George Kittle will practice next week.

Kittle has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener and has missed the required minimum of four games. Lynch told KNBR that the two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection won’t play this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I do believe we’re nearing, we’re getting there,” Lynch said.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that Kittle won’t be available this week but could return from IR for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons.

When Kittle officially is designated to return, he will have 21 days to practice and be activated to the 53-man roster or return to IR and be out for the season.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting in the first half of the 49ers’ 17-13 home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.

Kittle, who turned 32 on Thursday, caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. He has four career 1,000-yard seasons as part of his career totals of 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 TDs in 114 regular-season games (106 starts).

Kittle has another 33 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs in 12 playoff games (all starts).

He became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.

Lynch also said Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) is expected to be limited in Thursday’s session after not participating on Wednesday, and fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) won’t practice for the second straight day. Both players missed last week’s victory against the Los Angeles Rams.

–Field Level Media

Jan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) looks on in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images

Reports: 49ers’ George Kittle agrees to 4-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle has agreed to terms on a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension — according to multiple reports — making him the NFL’s highest-paid tight end.

Forty million dollars of that contract reportedly is guaranteed for Kittle, who now is under contract with San Francisco through the 2029 season. He was entering the final season of a deal he signed in 2020.

Bussin’ With The Boys first reported the news on Kittle, whose $19.1 million-per-season contract leapfrogs Arizona Cardinals star Trey McBride ($19 million per season) as the league’s top deal for a tight end.

With Kittle now under contract, the 49ers likely will pivot to finishing a new deal with quarterback Brock Purdy.

Kittle, 31, posted his fourth career 1,000-yard receiving season in 2024, catching 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight scores in 15 games.

The two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection has 538 receptions for 7,380 yards and 45 touchdowns in 113 games (105 starts) since San Francisco drafted him in the fifth round out of Iowa in 2017.

Purdy, 25, is heading into the final season of his rookie contract and is looking for a long-term extension as the franchise quarterback. His salary cap hit for 2025 is $5.37 million.

The last player picked in the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has a 23-13 record as a starter while completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 9,518 yards and 64 TDs, with 27 interceptions.

–Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

George Kittle refutes report that OTA absence is related to contract

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Responding to recent reports that George Kittle has been absent from voluntary San Francisco 49ers practice due to an issue with his current contract, the six-time Pro Bowl tight end posted, “Your source is incorrect” on X on Wednesday.

Recent reports, including one by The Athletic on Wednesday, have indicated Kittle is seeking a new contract to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. Kittle is entering the final year of a five-year, $75 million deal he signed in 2020 and reportedly has a hefty $22 million salary cap figure.

While his current deal made him the highest-paid tight end when he signed it, its $15 million AAV now is the fourth-highest at the position, per OverTheCap. The Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride is the highest paid, having signed a four-year, $76 million deal earlier this month.

The Athletic reported that, per a league source, the Niners’ extension offers to Kittle have thus far been declined. The report added that no trade request has been made, but other teams are tracking the situation.

Kittle, 31, was a Pro Bowl selection and named a second-team All-Pro last year, when he caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. It was the second-most receiving yards he had posted in a season in his eight-year career. His 31 touchdowns over the past four seasons are tied for the most among tight ends, along with the Baltimore Ravens’ Mark Andrews.

–Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

49ers TE George Kittle expected to sit vs. Seahawks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle plans to test his injured hamstring prior to Sunday’s game against the visiting Seattle Seahawks, but multiple reports indicate he’ll be sidelined for the Week 11 game.

Kittle felt discomfort in the hamstring earlier in the week. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team wasn’t concerned about a major or long-term absence.

The Seahawks won’t be sad to see Kittle sit out after he reeled in two TD passes in San Francisco’s 36-24 win in Seattle on Oct. 10. Kittle has seven touchdown catches in his past five games against the NFC West rival.

ESPN reported the 49ers (5-4) don’t want to risk re-injury with the expectation Kittle will be ready to roll for the Week 12 date with the Green Bay Packers (6-3).

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Kittle would be replaced by Eric Saubert in the starting lineup.

Kittle leads NFL tight ends with seven touchdown receptions in 2024 and is second at the position with 560 receiving yards.

Oct 20, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (1) jogs towards the locker room before the start of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images

Niners’ Deebo Samuel, Jauan Jennings, George Kittle miss practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings and tight end George Kittle all missed practice on Wednesday.

Samuel was just released from the hospital on Tuesday with pneumonia-like symptoms, but he could still play this week, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday. Jennings (hip) also missed last week’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs while Kittle (foot) did play.

The team also announced earlier this week that WR Brandon Aiyuk is done for the season after tearing his ACL and MCL in Sunday’s loss.

The Niners (3-4) host the Dallas Cowboys (3-3) on Sunday night.

Samuel was in on just four plays against the Chiefs, never touching the ball, before being ruled out since he was having trouble breathing, according to Shanahan. Samuel, 28, has 20 catches for 335 yards and one touchdown this season. He also has 19 carries for 51 yards and a score.

Jennings didn’t practice at all last week. He leads San Francisco with 404 receiving yards. He also has 25 receptions and three touchdowns.

Kittle leads the team with 34 receptions and has 375 yards with five TD catches. He’s considered day-to-day.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

49ers star TE George Kittle (hamstring) misses practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers are facing another blow to their offense after star tight end George Kittle missed Thursday’s practice with what ESPN and NFL Network reported to be hamstring tightness.

The 49ers may not have Kittle available for Week 3 when they face the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Kittle, a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro selection (including twice to the first team), had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown over the Niners’ first two games of 2024.

The 30-year-old has played in 100 games (92 starts) since starting his NFL career with San Francisco as a fifth-round draft pick in 2017, hauling in 471 receptions for 6,390 yards and 38 touchdowns.

The 49ers are already down two explosive weapons on offense: running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles), who’s on injured reserve, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf strain), who is expected to miss a couple of weeks.

Cornerback Charvarius Ward (hamstring/knee) also missed practice on Thursday.

–Field Level Media