Tag: Kittle

49ers TE George Kittle carted off vs. Eagles with Achilles injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was carted off the field with an Achilles injury and will not return to Sunday’s NFC wild-card game in Philadelphia, the team announced.

Kittle caught a 6-yard pass with 5:58 left in the second quarter and his right leg appeared to buckle as he was being tackled by Marcus Epps.

The cart came out and took the seven-time Pro Bowler to the locker room with the 49ers trailing the Eagles, 13-7. San Francisco ruled him out for the remainder of the game not long after.

It was the first catch of the game for Kittle, who had 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 starts during the regular season.

Kittle, 32, is in his ninth season with the 49ers, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2017. He has 595 career catches for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 games. He has four 1,000-yard seasons.

–Field Level Media

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, LT Trent Williams miss practice

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers practiced Tuesday without two key pieces of their offense, running back Christian McCaffrey and left tackle Trent Williams.

They were not mere veterans’ rest days. McCaffrey appeared on the injury list with a new back issue, and Williams was listed with the right hamstring injury sustained Sunday night in San Francisco’s 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears.

The NFC West title and No. 1 playoff seed in the conference are on the line when the 49ers host the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, and it’s up in the air whether either former All-Pro player will miss the game.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan called McCaffrey’s ailment “back stiffness,” and the running back insisted to reporters Tuesday it was not serious. As for Williams, he left the Bears game after hurting his hamstring on the first play of the night.

“Not sure how long (he’ll be out),” Shanahan said. “He’s got a shot for this week.”

McCaffrey has battled injuries throughout his career but has started all 16 games for San Francisco thus far this season. He has compiled a career-high 303 carries for 1,179 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 96 receptions for 890 yards and seven scores.

The 49ers listed tight end George Kittle (ankle) as a limited participant in Tuesday’s practice. Kittle sat out the Bears game, and his return for Week 18 is no guarantee.

“I wouldn’t assume that” Kittle will play, Shanahan said. “We’re barely moving today. We have a short week, so we won’t be doing much all week.”

Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) and defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) were the other notable 49ers who were limited on Tuesday. Defensive lineman Keion White (groin) and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (hip) sat out.

The Seahawks held a walkthrough on Tuesday and listed starting left tackle Charles Cross (hamstring) and his backup Josh Jones (ankle/knee) as DNPs on their estimated report. Wide receiver/return specialist Rashid Shaheed (concussion) and safety Coby Bryant (knee) were limited.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

49ers activate star TE George Kittle (hamstring) from IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing five games due to a hamstring injury.

Defensive tackle Kevin Givens (pectoral) also was activated from the IR ahead of the Sunday night home game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kittle was injured in the second quarter of the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. He told reporters this week that he “fully” tore the hamstring.

Kittle, 32, caught four passes for 25 yards and one touchdown before exiting in Week 1.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection has topped 1,000 receiving yards four times during his stellar career. He is in his ninth season.

Givens will be making his season debut. He sustained his pectoral injury during training camp.

Givens, 28, is his seventh season with San Francisco. He has 90 tackles and eight sacks in 65 games (14 starts).

San Francisco also put star linebacker Fred Warner (ankle) on the IR. He sustained the season-ending injury in last week’s loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 49ers also released tight end Brayden Willis, promoted defensive lineman Trevis Gipson to the 53-man roster from the practice squad and elevated receiver Malik Turner and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.

Mac Jones is again starting at quarterback for the 49ers after Brock Purdy (toe) was ruled out for the fifth time in six games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Report: 49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) headed to IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will be placed on injured reserve and miss at least the next four games, ESPN reported Tuesday.

The six-time Pro Bowl selection sustained a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday’s season-opening 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to open the scoring and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings also left the game with a shoulder injury but multiple reports Tuesday said the issue wasn’t serious. Jennings is considered questionable for the Week 2 game at New Orleans.

In addition to this Sunday’s clash with the Saints, Kittle must sit out Week 3 and Week 4 home games against the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively, and a Week 5 Thursday night road game against the Los Angeles Rams.

Jake Tonges, San Francisco’s third-string tight end, filled in for Kittle and caught Brock Purdy’s deflected pass for a 4-yard touchdown with 1:34 left in Sunday’s win. Tonges finished with three catches for 15 yards.

Kittle, 31, 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.

Kittle 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 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) runs the ball during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Banged-up Brock Purdy uncertain for Week 2 as 49ers’ injuries pile up

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers pulled out a 17-13 win over the division rival Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, but their short-term outlook is dire due to injuries to Brock Purdy, George Kittle and others.

Purdy toughed out Sunday’s game despite suffering injuries to his left (non-throwing) shoulder and toe. San Francisco coach Mike Shanahan told reporters Monday that the team considers the toe injury worse.

Asked if Purdy will be available for the Week 2 game Sunday at the New Orleans Saints, Shanahan said, “Not sure, has to see how it heals and how the week goes on it.”

Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million extension with the Niners in May, completed 26 of 35 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in the season opener.

Mac Jones is next in line if Purdy cannot play against the Saints.

Shanahan also declared star tight end Kittle will sit out multiple weeks.

Kittle injured his hamstring early Sunday and was ruled out of the contest in the second quarter. The six-time Pro Bowler had four receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown before exiting.

Wide receiver Jauan Jennings injured his shoulder Sunday and left in the fourth quarter after two catches for 16 yards. Shanahan said Jennings’ MRI came back clean, but he will go for a CT scan next.

Earlier in the day, perhaps in response to the Jennings injury, the 49ers brought back receiver Kendrick Bourne on a one-year deal reportedly worth up to $5 million. Bourne began his career in San Francisco and produced 137 catches for 1,769 yards and 11 touchdowns from 2017-20. The New England Patriots signed Bourne in 2021 and he delivered 155 catches for 1,945 yards and 11 scores over the last four seasons.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Seattle Seahawks during the first quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

49ers star TE George Kittle (hamstring) exits vs. Seahawks

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle exited Sunday’s season-opening game against the Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring injury.

The six-time Pro Bowler was injured during the first half and was ruled out of the contest late in the second quarter.

Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to open the scoring and had four receptions for 25 yards before exiting.

Kittle, 31, caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns 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.

Kittle 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.

Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are San Francisco’s other active tight ends in the game against Seattle.

–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

49ers’ George Kittle ‘distraught’ over ban of smelling salts

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is making a stink about the NFL’s recent ban on smelling salts.

Kittle interrupted an NFL Network interview at training camp on Tuesday to “air a grievance” about the policy.

“Our team had a memo today that smelling salts and ammonia packets were made illegal in the NFL, and I’ve been distraught all day,” said Kittle, who added that he uses the substances on “every drive.”

Starting this season, teams are prohibited from “providing or supplying ammonia in any form” on game days either on the field or in the locker room, according to the league memo.

“In 2024, the FDA issued a warning to companies that produce commercially available ammonia inhalants (AIs), as well as to consumers about the purchase and use of AIs, regarding the lack of evidence supporting the safety or efficacy of AIs marketed for improving mental alertness or boosting energy,” the memo says, per ESPN. “The FDA noted potential negative effects from AI use. AIs also have the potential to mask certain neurological signs and symptoms, including some potential signs of concussion.”

Kittle, 31, is far from the only NFL player who regularly uses smelling salts. That includes athletes in other sports, including ice hockey.

The six-time Pro Bowler said he has always used them for a boost of energy, joking that the change made him consider hanging up his cleats.

“I considered retirement,” Kittle said. “We have got to figure out a middle ground here, guys. Somebody help me out. Somebody come up with a good idea. That’s all I had to get out there. Get that off my chest.”

–Field Level Media

December 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) celebrates with tight end George Kittle (85) after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers TE George Kittle absent for voluntary OTAs

Posted on | by Field Level Media

All-Pro tight end George Kittle was a no-show Tuesday as the San Francisco 49ers began voluntary workouts, according to multiple reports.

Another marquee player negotiating a new contract, quarterback Brock Purdy, did show up to the team facilities in Santa Clara, Calif.

Kittle, 31, is entering the final season of a deal he signed in 2020 and has a $22 million cap number in 2025.

A report earlier this week by The Athletic characterized the two sides as being “far apart” in their contract talks.

Kittle posted his fourth career 1,000-yard 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 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 cap hit for 2025 is $5.37 million.

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

–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.

August 18, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson (36) during the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

49ers LB Curtis Robinson carted off at practice with leg injury

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson had to be carted off the field early in the team’s practice on Thursday.

The 49ers’ practice report issued later in the day listed Robinson as having a knee injury.

Robinson, 26, has played in three games this season solely on special teams. He has made 10 tackles in 15 career games with the Denver Broncos (2021) and the Niners (2021-24).

In better news for the injury-plagued 49ers, wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf), left tackle Trent Williams (illness) and linebacker Dee Winters (ankle) returned to practice Thursday after sitting out the day before. Tight end George Kittle, who missed Week 3 with a hamstring injury, practiced in a limited capacity for the second straight day.

The 49ers (1-2) take a two-game losing streak into Sunday’s home game against the New England Patriots (1-2).

–Field Level Media