San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught four of his five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans. It was a lukewarm observance of National Tight Ends Day for the unofficial holiday's founder, but on a day when the 49ers' offense generated just 223 net yards, Kittle's performance stood out. The production was reassuring for fantasy managers who were left hanging in Week 7, when Kittle posted a goose egg in his first game back from injured reserve. Kittle's five targets were third-most on the team, after Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) and Christian McCaffrey. He should remain a priority target even after Ricky Pearsall (knee) returns to action. Next on the docket for the 49ers is a potential rebound game against the Giants, who allowed Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert two touchdowns in their Week 8 meeting.
Oct 28, 2025 3:51 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle returned from injured reserve last Sunday and promptly put up a goose egg. It was the first game in his career that he didn't record a reception. Kittle, who was used almost exclusively as a blocker last week, should see his involvement in the passing attack increase, even with Mac Jones (knee, oblique) once again starting in place of Brock Purdy (toe). Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) practiced in full all week and carries no designation, but Ricky Pearsall (knee) has been declared out, leaving extra targets on the table. In Week 8, the 49ers square off against the Texans, who are allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends and have given up just one touchdown to the position. Kittle is still a must-start, as his abilities as a receiver give him TE1 potential even in a difficult matchup.
Oct 25, 2025 6:21 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges saw just seven snaps in the team's 20-10 win on Sunday Night Football in Week 7. With George Kittle (hamstring) back from injured reserve, the former All-Pro reclaimed his spot at the top of the depth chart, and Tonges fell to third in the pecking order behind Luke Farrell as well. Tonges operated as San Francisco's top tight end while Kittle was on injured reserve after injuring his hamstring in Week 1. Injuries to wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) over the subsequent weeks turned Tonges into a streaming candidate. During Kittle's absence, Tonges had three top-12 finishes at his position. Kittle's return tanks Tonges' fantasy value for San Francisco's Week 8 matchup against Houston and beyond. He can be dropped in all leagues.
Oct 21, 2025 12:53 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) returned from injured reserve in time for the team's 20-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. To the dismay of fantasy football managers awaiting his return, Kittle finished the game with zero receptions and saw only two targets. If there is a silver lining, it is that the 49ers did not hold back on getting Kittle on the field. The tight end saw an 81% snap share, which was the second-highest rate among the team's offensive skill position players. Rather than rely on Kittle as a pass-catcher, San Francisco utilized him primarily as an extra blocker in the run game. A healthy Kittle usually operates as one of the 49ers' primary targets, and with wide receiver Ricky Pearsall's (knee) status for Week 8 up in the air, a rebound to TE1 territory against the Houston Texans is within reach.
Oct 21, 2025 12:42 PM EST
The San Francisco 49ers activated tight end George Kittle (hamstring) from injured reserve on Saturday, and he's set to return for Sunday Night Football against the Falcons. Kittle played just 20 snaps in Week 1 against the Seahawks before suffering a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. The stud tight end rewarded fantasy managers with four catches (four targets) for 25 yards and a touchdown before leaving, and now makes his return after missing five games. With several 49ers receivers sidelined, Kittle could see an increased target share on Sunday night against an Atlanta defense that has surrendered the fewest receptions to tight ends this year. Despite the challenging matchup, he remains a high-end TE1 for Week 7 and going forward.
Oct 18, 2025 4:45 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he logged a full session on Friday and doesn't carry an injury designation heading into the Week 7 meeting with Atlanta. Kittle suffered a hamstring injury during the opener versus the Seattle Seahawks and has been on the shelf ever since. Fortunately, the 49ers will welcome him back, which is good news, considering the team will be without Brock Purdy (toe) and Ricky Pearsall (knee). With that in mind, Kittle should immediately be inserted back into all fantasy lineups in Week 7 despite a challenging matchup on the horizon, especially since he won't be on a snap count.
Oct 17, 2025 11:08 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is expected to be activated from Injured Reserve ahead of the Week 7 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Kittle only played in the season opener and has been sidelined since then due to a hamstring injury. The 49ers have no plans to limit Kittle or have him on a snap count for his return this weekend. This roster is still significantly banged up, so Kittle should immediately be an impact player. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable plugging Kittle back into their lineups this weekend, barring any setbacks.
Oct 17, 2025 6:12 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring), who is currently on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury he suffered in the season opener, said he plans to play this Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7. The Niners designated the 32-year-old to return from IR this week, which means the team now has 21 days to officially activate him. In his return to practice on Wednesday, Kittle was limited, and he maintained that practice status on Thursday. Despite suffering a full tear of his hamstring in Week 1, Kittle is back to full health and is hoping to make his return this weekend. It's unclear if the coaching staff feels the same way yet, but we should have our answer by Saturday, when the Niners will need to activate Kittle from IR if they intend to play him on Sunday. Despite the layoff, Kittle will be back on the TE1 radar immediately if he returns to action against Atlanta.
Oct 16, 2025 6:41 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring), who is still on Injured Reserve, returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The 49ers have designated Kittle to return from IR, which means they now have 21 days to officially activate him to return him to their 53-man active roster. It gives the 32-year-old Pro Bowl tight end a chance to return for a Week 7 date on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, but it doesn't mean it will actually happen. Fantasy managers are surely itching to get Kittle back into their starting lineups, but he's firmly up in the air to play this week. The 49ers would have to activate Kittle from IR by Saturday if they intend to play him on Sunday night. Kittle is a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy when he's active. If the Niners decide to wait another week to activate him, Jake Tonges would continue to have TE2 streaming appeal for one more week.
Oct 15, 2025 8:35 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that he expects tight end George Kittle (hamstring) to return to practice this week ahead of the Week 7 game on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. It means that the Niners should be designating Kittle to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday so that he can rejoin the team at practice. It's good news that the Pro Bowl tight end is close to returning to the practice field, but it's not a guarantee that he'll officially be activated from IR to play in Week 7. The 32-year-old has been out since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. It's unclear if Kittle will have restrictions on his snap count when he's officially back, but his return will be a massive boost to San Fran's banged-up receiving corps. When Kittle is back, he'll be a no-doubt TE1 in fantasy that should be peppered with targets from either quarterback Mac Jones or Brock Purdy (toe).
Oct 13, 2025 6:46 PM EST
The San Fransisco 49ers will spend at least one more week without star tight end George Kittle (hamstring), which opens the door for backup Jake Tonges to continue being a streaming option with his team set for a plus matchup against the Tampa Bay Bucs. The fourth-year man from Cal hasn't been an exact 1:1 replacement for Kittle's do-it-all skill set, but he's done well as a pass catcher, ranking in the top 10 among fantasy tight ends thanks to 19 receptions and three touchdowns in five weeks. Though Tonges' workload is going to decrease as soon as Kittle comes back, Tonges tied for the team lead in targets last week. He'll carry lineup appeal into Week 6, especially in formats that play more than one tight end.
Oct 9, 2025 9:21 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that there's a chance that tight end George Kittle (hamstring) will return from Injured Reserve to play in next Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic. The Niners have yet to open the 31-year-old's 21-day practice window, so Kittle will not be back this weekend to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fantasy managers are going to have to stay patient, as Kittle won't be a lock to make his return next week, even if he resumes practicing in some capacity. San Fran really could use some good news in the health department, as receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) could both miss their second straight game this Sunday. Jake Tonges has seen his pass-catching role increase and has now scored in back-to-back weeks. Tonges will be a TE2 streamer yet again against Tampa, especially if Jennings and Pearsall miss another game.
Oct 8, 2025 6:45 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is eligible to come off Injured Reserve and play in Week 6, but he's considered a "long shot" to return this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Kittle is more likely to return in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons than this week versus Tampa Bay. The 31-year-old veteran injured his hamstring in the season opener and was placed on IR, but he's missed the required four games and can now return whenever the team deems him healthy. Once the Niners designate him to return to practice, they'll have a 21-day window to officially activate him. In the meantime, Jake Tonges, who scored his third TD in Week 5, should be in play as a TE streamer in fantasy, especially if receivers Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs) and/or Ricky Pearsall (knee) miss more time.
Oct 7, 2025 12:17 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges came up big in Week 5, tying Kendrick Bourne for a team-high 11 targets and securing seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. The score was his third trip to the end zone since taking over for George Kittle (hamstring) as the team's primary receiving tight end. Kittle was seen running on a side field during Monday's practice, but is still on injured reserve. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Kittle playing in Week 6 is a "long shot" and the likelier return date will be Week 7. If Kittle continues to miss time, and pending the status of wide receivers Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs), Tonges could be in store for another productive week. In Week 6, the 49ers face the Buccaneers, who have given up two touchdowns to tight ends in each of their last two games.
Oct 7, 2025 12:03 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been on Injured Reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 1 and is first eligible to return in Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, that appears doubtful, as 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle is a "long shot" to return in Week 6 and that a Week 7 return against the Atlanta Falcons is more likely. In Kittle's absence, San Francisco tight end Jake Tonges has recorded 19 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns, including 10 catches for 99 yards and two scores in his last two games. If Kittle is indeed sidelined for Week 6, Tonges could be a low-end starting option for fantasy managers at the tight end position.
Oct 3, 2025 3:49 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is trending toward a Week 6 return from injured reserve. Kittle strained his hamstring in Week 1 after posting four catches for 28 yards and a touchdown, all in the first quarter. His return will be a major boost for San Francisco's offense, both as a pass catcher and as a blocker. Once active, Kittle should immediately reclaim his role as a high-end TE1, though fantasy managers should be more concerned about his health risks and the 49ers' crowded target distribution.
Oct 2, 2025 10:29 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) remains on injured reserve after exiting in Week 1. Kittle scored an early touchdown before leaving the game and was placed on IR shortly afterward. His earliest return date is Week 6 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though his fantasy outlook is now clouded in the 49ers' crowded receiver room. With rookie Ricky Pearsall emerging, Jauan Jennings performing when healthy, and Christian McCaffrey leading the team in targets, Kittle may not return to the same dominant workload he had in 2024. Brandon Aiyuk is also tracking toward a late-season return, which could further limit his target share. While Kittle still carries name value and touchdown upside, he might not reclaim elite fantasy status. If he returns strong in midseason, he could be a smart sell-high candidate before the 49ers' offense becomes even more crowded.
Sep 24, 2025 9:58 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury and was placed on Injured Reserve prior to Week 2. As a result, the 31-year-old will not play until at least Week 6, when San Francisco is set to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 49ers' first game without Kittle in Week 2, tight ends Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges combined for six catches, 45 receiving yards, and a touchdown. Kittle's return timeline could coincide with returns for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee). That could mean that San Francisco's offense could be firing on all cylinders when it welcomes Kittle back to the lineup. For fantasy managers with an open IR spot, this could be an interesting time to try and buy low on Kittle.
Sep 16, 2025 9:27 PM EST
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the San Francisco 49ers are placing tight end George Kittle (hamstring) on the injured reserve. As a result, Kittle will miss at least the next four games. The star tight end suffered this injury during their Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. Before exiting the contest, Kittle caught all four of his targets for 25 yards and a touchdown. When he was sidelined, Kittle was replaced by Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears he will be sidelined for at least the next month. While he remains out, fantasy managers should expect Farrell to see most of the blocking work while Tonges takes on most of the receiving work. Tonges caught all three of his targets for 15 yards and appears to be in the lead role to take on most of Kittle's offensive production. He is worth targeting in deep 14+ team formats on the waiver wire.
Sep 9, 2025 1:15 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is likely to miss three to five weeks with the hamstring injury that he suffered in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It makes Kittle a candidate to land on Injured Reserve, which would require him to miss at least four games. The 49ers' offense is dropping like flies, with receiver Jauan Jennings suffering a shoulder injury on Sunday and quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder, toe) dealing with multiple injuries that could keep him out in Week 2 versus the New Orleans Saints. Fantasy managers should not be dropping Kittle, but it may be a while before we see him back on the field. Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell will be tasked with picking up the slack at the TE position, but they won't be realistic fantasy streamers, especially if Purdy also misses some time.
Sep 8, 2025 7:05 PM EST
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