Kittle (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday's injury report, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Kittle now has gone down as a DNP on both the 49ers' practice reports since he left Monday's win at Indianapolis in the third quarter due to a left ankle injury and wasn't able to return. He's reportedly dealing with a mid-to-low ankle sprain, per Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, and Kittle has one more chance to mix into drills Friday before San Francisco potentially makes a ruling on his status for Sunday's game against the Bears. Jake Tonges would be the favorite to step into a pass-catching role among the team's remaining tight ends if Kittle is inhibited or sidelined Week 17.
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49ers' George Kittle: No practice Wednesday
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (ankle) won't practice Wednesday but "has a chance" to play Sunday against the Bears, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Kittle was tackled awkwardly on his seventh and final catch in the middle of the third quarter of Monday's win at Indianapolis and wasn't able to return. Shanahan told Wagoner afterward that it was too early to touch on the severity of Kittle's ankle injury before Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported Tuesday that Kittle was tending to a mid-to-low ankle sprain. Kittle doesn't necessarily need to practice in order to be active Sunday against the Bears, but his chances to play Week 17 would increase if he's able to mix into drills at some point Thursday or Friday. Jake Tonges likely would step into the pass-catching role in the 49ers offense if Kittle isn't able to suit up this weekend.
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49ers' George Kittle: Avoids high-ankle sprain
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Kittle was diagnosed with a low-to-mid-grade left ankle sprain following an MRI on Tuesday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
After he was forced out of Monday's 48-27 win over the Colts in the middle of the third quarter with the injury, Kittle said that he believed that he had avoided a high-ankle sprain, and follow-up tests have confirmed that's indeed the case. Though he isn't facing a long-term injury, the star tight end could still be at risk of missing a game Sunday versus the Bears that has important playoff-positioning implications at stake. Before departing late in the third quarter Monday, Kittle still delivered for his fantasy managers, posting seven catches for a season-high 115 yards and a touchdown on eight targets.
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49ers' George Kittle: Severity of ankle injury TBD
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San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said after Monday's 48-27 win against the Colts that it's too early to know the severity of Kittle's ankle injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
Kittle missed all of the fourth quarter and some of the third due to the ankle issue, and the outcome of the contest wasn't certain until late, so it appears there's at least some chance the star tight end will miss next Sunday's game against Chicago. With that said, further evaluation is needed to determine how serious of an issue Kittle is dealing with, and he will likely do everything he can to play next week given that there is a lot at stake for San Francisco against the Bears. Despite his early exit Monday, Kittle did plenty for fantasy managers who started him, amassing 115 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. Jake Tonges was effective as the 49ers' pass-catching tight end following Kittle's departure and would be a viable fantasy asset in Week 17 if Kittle is forced to sit out.
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49ers' George Kittle: Questionable to return to MNF
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Kittle is dealing with an ankle injury and is questionable to return to Monday's Week 16 matchup against Indianapolis, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Kittle walked gingerly off the field late in the third quarter and subsequently was deemed questionable to return with what has been considered to be an ankle injury. The star tight end was having a big game before getting hurt, recording seven catches (on eight targets) for 115 yards and a touchdown. If Kittle is unable to return Monday, Jake Tonges likely would be asked to step in as San Francisco's top pass-catching tight end, with Luke Farrell also a candidate for more offensive snaps.
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49ers' George Kittle: Season high in receiving yards
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Kittle brought in eight of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 37-24 win over the Titans.
Kittle set a new single-game high in receiving yards (88) for 2025 on his second-highest reception total (eight) through nine healthy starts. The star tight end has been efficient with his 54 targets, producing a strong 83.3 percent catch rate so far this season. Kittle's season totals may end up suffering due to missed time to injury, but he remains one of the tight top ends in fantasy when he is on the field.
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49ers' George Kittle: Paces Niners in receiving yards
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Kittle caught four of five targets for 67 yards in Sunday's 26-8 win over the Browns.
The veteran tight end led the Niners in receiving yards and tied Jauan Jennings for the team lead in catches on a day in which passing was difficult due to high winds in Cleveland. Kittle has caught at least four passes in six straight games, racking up a 33-371-4 line on 39 targets during that stretch. He'll get a breather during San Francisco's bye next week before taking on Tennessee in Week 15.
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49ers' George Kittle: Leading receiver on MNF
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Kittle finished with six receptions (on 10 targets) for 78 yards in Monday's 20-9 victory over the Panthers.
Kittle finished Monday's primetime tilt as the game's leading receiver off a season-high 10 targets. The 31-year-old has really found his groove since going catchless in his return from a hamstring injury Week 7, providing fantasy managers with a 29-304-4 receiving line over his last five starts. Kittle may be asked to utilize his elite blocking skills more than usual Week 13 in order to help the offensive line deal with the unstoppable force that is DE Myles Garrett when the 49ers visit the Browns on Sunday.
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49ers' George Kittle: Carries over hot play from Week 10
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Kittle hauled in all six of his targets for 67 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 41-22 rout of the Cardinals.
Kittle welcomed back starting quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) with literal open arms, getting wide open in the end zone on two separate occasions. The talented duo picked up right where it left off when the teammates last played together back in Week 1, when Kittle hit pay dirt before suffering a hamstring injury that would land the tight end on injured reserve. The 31-year-old Kittle was already coming off of a season-best performance against the Rams in Week 10 (9-84-1), with Sunday's two-score day officially putting the fantasy stud on a hot streak. Kittle will attempt to one-up himself against the Panthers under the bright lights of Monday Night Football in Week 12.
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49ers' George Kittle: Best fantasy game this season
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Kittle secured all nine of his targets for 84 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 42-26 loss to the Rams.
It took a one-sided loss to do it, but Kittle finally produced the kind of stat line managers were hoping for when selecting the tight end early in drafts. The star tight end has chipped in with three touchdown catches across five active games, with Sunday's output marking the first time he surpassed four receptions or 43 receiving yards. The injury-riddled 49ers may need to rely on Kittle's receiving abilities in order to remain a threat down the stretch.
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49ers' George Kittle: Commemorates 'holiday' with TD
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Kittle brought in four of five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 26-15 loss to the Texans on Sunday.
Kittle commemorated the National Tight End Day quasi-holiday he helped bring about by recording his second touchdown of the season on a 17-yard grab just before halftime. Kittle had been shut out altogether in his Week 7 return from a hamstring injury, so Sunday's production was a particularly welcome sight for fantasy managers and included a new season-high yardage total for the veteran tight end. Kittle draws another favorable matchup irrespective of who his quarterback is when the 49ers face the Giants on the road in Week 9.
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49ers' George Kittle: No catches in return from injury
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Kittle (hamstring) failed to bring in either of his targets in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Falcons.
It was a Christian McCaffrey focused gameplan out of the gates Sunday, resulting in no San Francisco receiver topping 31 yards in the win. Kittle's managers were hoping for more after he spent the last five-plus weeks tending to his injured hamstring on IR. The star tight end didn't appear limited while running routes, which is the only silver lining from Sunday's bagel in the box score. Kittle will look to get more involved offensively against the Texans next Sunday for a 49ers squad that is still banged-up at the receiver position.
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49ers' George Kittle: Off IR, clear for Sunday
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The 49ers activated Kittle (hamstring) from injured reserve Saturday, and he has no designation for Sunday's game against the Falcons.
Kittle thus is set for his first game action since San Francisco's Week 1 win at Seattle, when he suffered a torn hamstring. The state of the 49ers offense is much different six weeks later, with QB Brock Purdy sidelined again due to a lingering turf toe injury and multiple injuries impacting the receiving corps. Kittle will be in the mix for passes from fill-in signal-caller Mac Jones, and the former will be joined by WRs Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson, RB Christian McCaffrey and fellow TE Jake Tonges.
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49ers' George Kittle: Limited again Thursday
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Kittle (hamstring) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Since the 49ers designated him for return from injured reserve Wednesday, Kittle has maintained his listed activity level on the 49ers' first two Week 7 injury reports. Per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com, Kittle said that he suffered a full tear of his hamstring Week 1 at Seattle, which spurred extra caution in his recovery effort. However, Kittle added that he's back to full health and intends to suit up this weekend. San Francisco will need to activate him from IR by Saturday afternoon in order to have him available Sunday versus the Falcons.
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49ers' George Kittle: Limited in return to practice
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Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (hamstring) will be a limited participant at Wednesday's practice, thereby designating the tight end to return from injured reserve, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
Last Wednesday, Shanahan told David Lombardi of SFStandard.com that Kittle as a chance to suit up Week 7, and the tight end's return to practice this Wednesday is the first step in making that a reality. Kittle has been sidelined since the season opener, when he injured his hamstring in the first half of an eventual 49ers win at Seattle. Ultimately, Friday's practice report will reveal his odds to play Sunday versus the Falcons.
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49ers' George Kittle: In line to practice this week
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that the 49ers expect Kittle (hamstring) to practice this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
San Francisco has yet to designate Kittle to return from injured reserve, which will need to happen for the tight end to mix into drills. The team resumes practicing Wednesday in advance of next Sunday's game against the Falcons, meaning the aforementioned transaction may transpire before then. In any case, Kittle appears poised to put the finishing touches on his recovery from the hamstring injury that has sidelined him since Week 1.
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49ers' George Kittle: Expected to remain out for Week 6
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San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday that Kittle (hamstring) is considered a "long shot" to be available for the team's Week 6 game against the Buccaneers, but the tight end could be more likely to return from injured reserve for a Week 7 matchup with the Falcons on Sunday, Oct. 19, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
After missing the requisite four games upon being placed on IR following Week 1 action, Kittle will be eligible for activation during the upcoming week, but he seemingly hasn't made enough progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury to put himself in consideration for a return just yet. The 49ers could still elect to open Kittle's 21-day practice window next week, though Shanahan hinted that the team may prefer to wait until Week 7 before having the 31-year-old get back on the field, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic. While Kittle has been out for the past four weeks, the 49ers have had Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell share snaps at tight end, with the former player proving to be the more formidable pass-catching threat.
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49ers' George Kittle: Move to IR official
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The 49ers placed Kittle (hamstring) on injured reserve Tuesday.
Kittle will miss at least the next four games before potentially returning to action Week 6 versus the Buccaneers. Before departing Sunday's 17-13 win over the Seahawks with a hamstring injury, Kittle produced four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown on four targets over just 20 snaps. Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are left as the only healthy tight ends on the 49ers' roster, though fullback Kyle Juszczyk is also an option to take on some of Kittle's pass-catching duties. San Francisco could also elevate Brayden Willis from the practice squad to bolster the depth of the group.
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49ers' George Kittle: Headed for IR
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The 49ers are expected to place Kittle (hamstring) on injured reserve within the next few days, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
The tight end's impending move to IR indicates that the 49ers are preparing for him to miss at least the next four games. With Kittle out until at least Week 6 against the Buccaneers, Luke Farrell (42 offensive snaps, 1-4-0 receiving line on one target in Week 1) and Jake Tonges (28 snaps, 3-15-1 line on three targets) are the healthy tight ends left on the 53-man roster. The 49ers are expected to add another tight end or two prior to Sunday's game in New Orleans, but none are likely to command the type of target share that a healthy Kittle would.
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49ers' George Kittle: Out a few weeks
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Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kittle will be out a "few weeks" due to the hamstring injury that knocked him out of Sunday's win in Seattle, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
Kittle was ruled out in the first half with the health concern, and after undergoing an MRI it's been determined that the tight end will need to miss some time. Shanahan's comments indicate Kittle will miss at least this coming Sunday's contest at New Orleans and potentially an NFC West matchup with the Cardinals on Sunday, Sept. 21. Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are in line for TE snaps for San Francisco for as long as Kittle is sidelined.
