George Kittle
Tight End #85
George Kittle News
George Kittle Has Been the Top-Scoring Tight End Since Returning to Full Health
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been an elite fantasy option in the two weeks since he returned to being 100% healthy. Kittle had a limited role in the season opener since it was his first game back from an Achilles injury, but over the last two weeks, he ranks as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues with 10 catches, 162 yards, and three touchdowns. His fantasy stock has benefitted from injuries at other positions, with wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) up in the air for Week 4 and Demarcus Robinson (ankle), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Christian Kirk (calf) all on injured reserve. The 49ers are 3-0 and firing on all cylinders offensively, so Kittle should be able to sustain his top-tier fantasy value even as the receivers work back to full health. He should be treated as a high-end TE1 heading into Week 4 against the Broncos.
Oct 1, 2026 7:09 AM EST
George Kittle Scores Twice as Niners' WR Group Adds More Injuries
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is now the WR1 in the Bay Area after more injuries to the team's wide receiving corps in Sunday's 36-30 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. With veteran wideout Mike Evans (ribs, chest) going down with a painful injury in Week 3, the 32-year-old Kittle took over through the air, leading the team with six receptions, seven targets, 82 yards, and two touchdowns to help the team stay undefeated in 2026. The Niners already have Ricky Pearsall (knee), rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) on Injured Reserve, and Evans could be in line to miss time going forward as well. That would really thin out the team's receiving depth, helping to give Kittle a pretty massive target share going into a Week 4 contest at home against the Denver Broncos. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was eased into the Week 1 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in his first game back from an Achilles tear suffered in the postseason in January. He caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Kittle is a must-start, high-end TE1 with San Francisco's receiving weapons dwindling.
Sep 27, 2026 8:18 PM EST
George Kittle Gives Mid-Range TE1 Value in Week 3 vs. Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has returned to top-tier TE status and is set to have an increased workload in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran had a quiet start to his 2026 campaign as he worked his way back from offseason Achilles surgery, but broke out in Week 2 by catching all four of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers have a banged-up receiving corps heading into Sunday's matchup, with Mike Evans (hip) listed as questionable and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) joining De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) on the sidelines. That shouldn't put too much pressure on Kittle, though, considering the Cardinals defense has struggled against the pass to start the 2026 season. Kittle returns to starter status as a mid-range TE1 in Week 3.
Sep 25, 2026 3:16 PM EST
George Kittle's Fantasy Performance Carried by Enormous Second Half
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught all four of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Kittle had a quiet Week 1 performance while handling a limited workload due to injury, and it looked like he was headed for another dud after finishing the first half of Sunday's game without a target. However, he broke out in the second half, catching all four of his passes despite the 49ers having a sizable lead. The big second half allowed Kittle to finish as the 49ers' leading receiver in terms of yardage, and he tied for the team-high in receptions. The veteran tight end is a candidate to finish as a top-five fantasy scorer in any given week, but he has a particularly high ceiling going forward with wide receivers De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Mike Evans (hip), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) all dealing with injuries.
Sep 20, 2026 8:56 PM EST
George Kittle Could See More Work In Week 2
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Kittle started the week with back-to-back limited practices but was a full participant on Friday. After tearing his Achilles in a wild card matchup last season, Kittle beat the typical recovery timeline and was on the field for 30 of the 49ers' 65 offensive snaps in last week's season opener, and caught two of his five targets for 12 yards. Another week stronger and with backup Jake Tonges (knee) on injured reserve, Kittle should see more involvement in what looks like a favorable matchup against Miami. Last week, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer pulled in six receptions, tying him for the team lead in their win over the Fins. Kittle may not be a ceiling play just yet, but he should be started as a potential TE1/2 in Week 2.
Sep 18, 2026 10:37 PM EST
George Kittle Officially Cleared for Week 2
As expected, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was not on Friday's final injury report, according to David Furones of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in a playoff game in January, but he made enough progress to be active in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia, although he played only 46% of the offensive snaps and caught two of his five targets for 12 yards. The 32-year-old veteran had a quiet season opener, but that was to be expected in his first game back from a season-ending injury late last season. In Week 2 at home against the visiting Miami Dolphins, Kittle should see more of the field, especially since fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) has been ruled out for the year. The seven-time Pro Bowler might not be totally back to himself yet, but he should be a more acceptable low-end TE1/high-end TE2 play in fantasy lineups in a cushy matchup.
Sep 18, 2026 2:59 PM EST
George Kittle Limited Again on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Despite tearing his Achilles in the playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, Kittle was active for San Francisco's Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams last Thursday in Australia. However, the 32-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro only logged 46% of the offensive snaps and caught two of his five targets for just 12 yards. Kittle should be good to go for the Week 2 contest at home against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, and RotoBaller is expecting him to play more, especially since fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) is out for the rest of the season. Fantasy managers should consider Kittle a better low-end TE1 play this weekend in an excellent matchup in his second game back from a torn Achilles.
Sep 17, 2026 3:40 PM EST
George Kittle Rising to Top-Tier TE1 Range After Recovery
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was limited in Week 1 due to recovery from an Achilles injury, and while he remained limited in practice on Wednesday, we expect him to take on a substantially larger role going forward. As a result, he's back in the top-12 tight end range for fantasy purposes as long as he's healthy. Last year, Kittle ranked as the overall TE2 during his healthy stretch from Weeks 8-16. A healthy Kittle catching passes from Brock Purdy will fight to be the top-scoring fantasy tight end any given week, making him a must-start in all leagues. Managers who might feel spurned by his two-catch performance last week should feel some assurance knowing that he only played 45% of the offensive snaps. If he's healthy enough to play more than 75% of the snaps this week, he's a near-lock for top-12 production at the tight end position, especially after Purdy lost young target De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) to IR.
Sep 16, 2026 8:45 PM EST
George Kittle Limited in Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Kittle was also limited last week after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs in January, but he was active for the Week 1 season-opening win on Thursday over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia. The Niners eased the Pro Bowl tight end in, as Kittle played under half of the offensive snaps and underwhelmed with only two catches on five targets for 12 yards. Even with fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) out for the year with an MCL injury, the 49ers could continue to ease Kittle back into their offense in the Week 2 matchup at home against the Miami Dolphins in a game that San Fran is expected to win easily. At best, Kittle should be viewed as a low-end TE1 for fantasy lineups this weekend in just his second regular-season game since his torn Achilles early in 2026.
Sep 16, 2026 2:58 PM EST
George Kittle Cleared, Still A Risky Play For Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) beat the usual recovery timeline for the Achilles tear he suffered in January and will be active for the team's season opener on Thursday night. Despite being limited in practices this week, he carries no injury designation heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Rams in Melbourne. In Kittle's only game against Los Angeles in 2025, he caught nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy managers should not expect the same production for Week 1, as the tight end can be expected to be on a pitch count, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With the additions to the 49ers' receiving room in Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Deebo Samuel Sr., Brock Purdy has plenty of options to throw to. Kittle ranks as RotoBaller's TE8 this week, but his usual ceiling will be hard to reach in light of the circumstances around him.
Sep 10, 2026 9:50 AM EST
George Kittle Will Be On "Pitch Count" During Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle tore his right Achilles in January and has worked his way back to being available for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. However NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the talented tight end will be on a "pitch count to start but a pretty dramatic return for one of the NFL's best tight ends. George Kittle is back". Kittle played in 11 games in 2025 and recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 11.0 yards per reception and 57.1 yards per game. Even at age 32, Kittle is still one of the best tight end bets for fantasy. Returning from an Achillies tear as quickly as he did at that advanced age is a bit concerning, but if anyone can do it, it would be Kilttle. Look for a bit of a slow start to the season as he adjusts back to playing but he still should be a top-tier tight end.
Sep 10, 2026 6:14 AM EST
George Kittle Will Complete His Comeback, Play in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is off the injury report and has no designation for Thursday night's matchup in Melbourne against the Rams. Kittle tore his Achilles on January 11th against the Eagles, but the 32-year-old has been aiming for a Week 1 return. He'll hit that target and play on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Kittle could need some time to ramp up to a full workload, but he brings a high enough ceiling to be started in most formats right away. Kittle is the No. 8 tight end in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, so he should probably be in your lineup if you drafted him in most leagues. With a whole new wide receiver group, Kittle's rapport with QB Brock Purdy will be critical to the 49ers' ability to keep up with the Rams Down Under this Thursday.
Sep 10, 2026 5:42 AM EST
49ers to Monitor Playing Time for George Kittle in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the team will monitor the playing time for tight end George Kittle (Achilles) in the Week 1 season opener in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. "We got to be smart with that," Shanahan said. Kittle was listed as limited in Tuesday's practice in Australia as he comes back from a torn Achilles tendon in last year's postseason. The 32-year-old veteran traveled with the team and is in line to play on Thursday, but he could be facing limited offensive snaps, which will make him highly volatile in fantasy football to kick things off. It does not mean that Kittle cannot still be valuable for his red-zone prowess, but there will be much more risk. Jake Tonges could be a sneaky deep-league streamer in Week 1 if Kittle's reps are managed against the Rams. Fantasy managers should view Kittle as more of a low-end TE2 option in starting lineups for Week 1.
Sep 9, 2026 9:07 AM EST
George Kittle is Limited During Tuesday's Practice
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was a limited participant during Tuesday's practice session, according to Josh Dubow. Kittle has been able to practice both Monday and Tuesday, which is a good sign ahead of Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Rams. The 32-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction ahead of the season opener. It wouldn't be shocking to see the 49ers limit his playing time until he's back to full speed. Kittle did suffer a torn Achilles in January, so the fact that he's basically ready to play again is incredible. When healthy, Kittle is one of the best tight ends in the league and should offer low-end TE1 offer if he suits up on Thursday.
Sep 8, 2026 2:56 PM EST
George Kittle's Workload is Undecided
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was seen participating in practice on Monday. 49ers offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak says Kittle looks good for the season opener, but his workload is still to be determined, Cam Inman reports. Kittle still needs to get through a few more practices, but is trending towards playing on Thursday versus the Los Angeles Rams. The 32-year-old made an incredibly quick recovery from a torn right Achilles that he suffered during a playoff game in January. When healthy, Kittle is a top-tier tight end, but fantasy managers might need to be patient with him for a game or two.
Sep 7, 2026 6:48 PM EST
George Kittle Could be on Snap Count in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) traveled with the team to Australia for the Week 1 regular-season opener next Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but that does not mean that he will play a full game if he is active next week. If Kittle is active, The Athletic's Matt Barrows is "sure he won't be on the field for his usual 95 percent of the offensive snaps." The 49ers must consider the long ride back for Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the playoffs back in January. The 32-year-old veteran is a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, but he also has a lengthy injury history and managed to play in just 11 regular-season games in 2025 in his ninth year in the NFL, catching 57 of his 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. The 49ers are most likely looking to slowly ease Kittle back into the offense so that he can be peaking late in the year if he manages to stay healthy in 2026. Fantasy managers setting DFS lineups in Week 1 should be fading Kittle at the TE position.
Sep 3, 2026 11:13 AM EST
George Kittle Trending Towards Playing in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is traveling to Australia and is trending toward playing in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Ian Rapoport. The 49ers are traveling to Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday, more than a week before Week 1. Kittle tore his Achilles during their Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, but with the star tight end "absolutely crushing" his recovery goals, it seems optimistic that he will be active next Thursday night. The 10th-year tight end has averaged double-digit fantasy points in every year except his rookie year and had 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games in 2025. While a limited workload is very possible for Kittle, especially only eight months post-surgery, he should be in fantasy lineups for Week 1, assuming he's active.
Sep 2, 2026 5:09 AM EST
George Kittle to be Eased into Practice This Week
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) will be eased into practices over the next three days, head coach Kyle Shanahan told Matt Barrows of The Athletic. Kittle will not be a full-go this week as he prepares to potentially make the trip with the team to Australia to take on the division-rival Los Angeles Rams next Thursday. We will have a better idea of the veteran tight end's Week 1 availability once the 49ers release their official practice reports for Week 1, which will start next Monday. He was just activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list last week after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs in January. Kittle has been targeting Week 1 for his return all offseason, but the Niners may play it safe and keep him out, especially when considering how banged up they have been over the last couple of seasons. If Kittle is inactive against the Rams, Jake Tonges figures to be a tight end streamer in fantasy, although Luke Farrell could also get involved. Injury concerns for Kittle have caused him to slip in the rankings in 2026 as a low-end TE1.
Aug 31, 2026 1:29 PM EST
George Kittle Expected to Practice This Week
According to Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is expected to practice this week. Kittle is still working his way back from an Achilles tendon injury that happened on January 11. The veteran tight end has been working hard and is pushing to be available for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. He was activated from the active/PUP list last Sunday and is trending towards getting on the practice field this week. His status for Week 1 is still cloudy, but it sounds like Kittle won't miss much time to begin the season. Fantasy managers should continue to check for updates throughout the week on Kittle's status.
Aug 30, 2026 7:56 AM EST
Has George Kittle "Taken a Step Back"?
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently met with the media, and a passing comment about George Kittle (Achilles) could be interpreted to mean that the All-Pro tight end has had a setback in his recovery from the Achilles injury that ended his 2025 season. While discussing the potential Week 1 availability of a handful of injured players, Shanahan mentioned his star tight end, saying, "Guys like Kittle, who's taken a step back." He was not asked for further clarification, but with Kittle having been activated from the active/physically unable to perform list on August 23rd, it's possible Shanahan meant a step toward playing. Following a string of positive recovery news, Kittle had risen to RotoBaller's TE9, but as posited by Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, Shanahan will likely have some further explaining to do when he next meets with the media.
Aug 30, 2026 5:49 AM EST
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