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
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) and wide receiver Jauan Jennings (left shoulder) will undergo MRIs and additional testing over the next 24 hours, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Both players departed Week 1 with their respective injuries, leaving the 49ers short-staffed in the passing game. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to additional updates from the 49ers organization on Monday. In the event that neither Kittle nor Jennings can play next week, players like Ricky Pearsall, Russell Gage Jr., and Luke Farrell would earn increased targets.
Sep 7, 2025 8:08 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's Week 1 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. At the time of his departure, he had caught four passes for 25 yards and one touchdown. The star tight end is one of the focal points of San Francisco's offense, and he has been able to stay relatively healthy, missing just two games in 2024. His injury represents a major concern for the Niners in Week 1 and beyond. Fantasy managers should monitor Kittle's practice status next week, as it's too early to tell whether this might be a multi-week absence. Luke Farrell will operate as the 49ers' primary tight end until Kittle can return.
Sep 7, 2025 5:20 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is expected to make his preseason debut in the team's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. The veteran is entering his ninth professional season at 31 years old after a stellar 2024 campaign in which he hauled in 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns, solidifying his status as one of the league's best tight ends. Kittle, considered a stalwart and the heart of the team, will look to get some valuable reps ahead of the regular season.
Aug 16, 2025 3:55 PM EST
During a recent appearance on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle said he feels great physically and mentally, and he is not putting a timeline on his retirement. The former fifth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of Iowa said he will play "literally until I don't have fun anymore." The Pro Bowl and All-Pro fixture recently signed a four-year extension to remain with the Niners long term following a 78-catch, 1,106-yard, eight-touchdown season in 2024. "The one benefit of not making the playoffs is you get an entire month off," Kittle said. "I haven't had January off since 2020." This sounds like a great development for Kittle's fantasy managers and his upside in 2025, especially after the departure of receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., who was traded to the Washington Commanders. Kittle is currently being priced as the TE3 in half-PPR ADP, and it would be a surprise if he's not in contention for the overall TE1 once again in his ninth NFL campaign.
Jun 25, 2025 3:26 PM EST
Six-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday that includes $40 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Now that the two sides were able to work out a contract extension, Kittle should show up for the team's voluntary offseason program, while the Niners can now turn their full attention to getting an extension done with quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite being on the wrong side of 30 -- he'll turn 32 in October, Kittle finished as the TE2 in half-PPR scoring last year, behind only Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers. He finished 2024 with 78 catches on 94 targets for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in only 15 games played. Kittle is a high-end fantasy tight end, but he's also injury-prone and relies more on efficiency than volume, as he hasn't had triple-digit targets since 2019.
Apr 29, 2025 1:03 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle wants to become the league's highest-paid tight end, a league source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Kittle would have to top the four-year, $76 million deal that 25-year-old Trey McBride recently inked with the Arizona Cardinals. So far the 49ers' offers to Kittle have been rebuffed, and the two sides are far apart from a deal, which is why Kittle didn't show up to the start of the team's voluntary offseason workouts earlier this week. He will be turning 32 in October and is set to enter the start of the final year of his current deal in 2025. Other teams are keeping an eye out, but so far, Kittle isn't requesting a trade. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, Kittle finished as the TE2 in PPR scoring in 2024 thanks to 78 catches, 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. He'll be an injury-prone, high-end fantasy TE1 that thrives on per-target efficiency rather than volume.
Apr 24, 2025 12:08 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle did not report to the start of team offseason activities, according to NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The six-time Pro Bowl selection is entering the final year of his contract and is set to earn a base salary of $14.4 million. The Iowa product put another fantastic season together in 2024, collecting 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games. The 31-year-old is one of the best tight ends of his generation and has five seasons of at least 900 receiving yards on his career resume. If Kittle wants a contract extension and a raise, he has earned it. He currently ranks behind Trey McBride, Travis Kelce, and T.J. Hockenson in average salary among tight ends and is likely to take on a bigger workload after the departure of Deebo Samuel Sr.
Apr 22, 2025 3:20 PM EST
There is some uncertainty as to whether San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will attend voluntary activities as he seeks a new contract, according to The Athletic's Michael Silver. Kittle is heading into the final year of a five-year, $75 million deal and is considered much more of a long shot to get something done because he and the team remain far apart in contract discussions. Even though Kittle is on the wrong side of 30 and is an injury risk, he was the TE2 in half-PPR scoring in 2024 thanks to 78 catches on 94 targets for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns in 15 games played. It was even more impressive due to the fact that he played much of the season with cracked ribs. Because of his production last year, Kittle will continue to be a high-end tight end target in fantasy drafts this fall, but the risk is also high given his propensity for injuries.
Apr 21, 2025 6:45 PM EST
San Francisco Chronicle's Eric Branch writes that the San Francisco 49ers and star tight end George Kittle have been in talks about a contract extension early this offseason. The 31-year-old is heading into the final year of his current deal in 2025 after a strong 2024 campaign in which he caught 78 passes on 94 targets for 1,106 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 15 starts. The production was all the more impressive after he revealed that he played through cracked ribs for much of the season, and he also missed two games with a hamstring ailment. Kittle's 1,106 receiving yards and eight touchdowns were both the second-best marks of his career. He was the TE1 overall in fantasy, with only Brock Bowers and Trey McBride besting him in total yardage. Regardless of whether he gets a contract extension from the Niners (he likely will), Kittle will be a top-five fantasy TE in drafts this fall.
Feb 21, 2025 9:33 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) was outproduced by his backup Eric Saubert during the team's 47-24 loss to the Cardinals in Arizona. Kittle caught two of three targets for 27 yards. The affable team captain was questionable and ultimately activated but had his snap count reduced in the meaningless game. Most likely, the 49ers organization was showing appreciation to Kittle by giving him the start since he has a $500,000 per-game roster bonus in his contract. Kittle finishes an excellent season as the overall half-PPR TE2, behind only Las Vegas Raiders rookie Brock Bowers and just ahead of Arizona's Trey McBride. He amassed 78 receptions, 1,106 yards, and eight touchdowns in 2024. He was hyper-efficient this year, setting career marks in catch percentage and yards per target. Kittle will enter his age-32 season in 2025 once again as a fantasy TE1 with San Francisco.
Jan 5, 2025 11:54 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is officially active for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Arizona Cardinals. He had been listed as questionable. Although the 49ers have already been eliminated from playoff contention, Kittle will be suiting up for the season finale. Quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow), however, won't play, which means Kittle will be catching passes from Joshua Dobbs. The 31-year-old ranks second among tight ends in fantasy points this season, and he enters the season finale as a high-end TE1.
Jan 5, 2025 3:30 PM EST
According to Can Inman of the Bay Area News Group, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Kittle opened the week as a non-participant but was able to upgrade to limited participation on Thursday and Friday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status over the weekend as he may end up being a game-time decision. Kittle saw his typical workload on Monday evening as he logged 56 offensive snaps and was able to bring in all eight of his targets for 112 yards. Even though Joshua Dobbs is slated to get the start, fantasy managers should still view Kittle as a TE1 even without Brock Purdy (elbow) under center. He will be facing an Arizona defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.
Jan 3, 2025 4:59 PM EST
After being limited in practice on Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday. Kittle is battling through multiple injuries with one final game left this year, but his ability to practice in full on Thursday means he should be able to gain clearance to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Although the 31-year-old's fantasy value will take a hit if he plays this weekend with quarterback Joshua Dobbs getting the start over Brock Purdy (elbow), Kittle will still be in play as a TE1 for lineups as the top-scoring TE in half-PPR scoring this year thanks to catching 76 of his 91 targets for 1,079 yards and a league-high eight TDs. If Kittle plays, he figures to be Dobbs' favorite target, especially if receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs, wrist) is held out.
Jan 2, 2025 6:21 PM EST
According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their final game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals. With the 49ers out of playoff contention, Kittle may face an uphill battle to clear protocol in order to suit up. On Monday evening, during their loss to the Detroit Lions, Kittle brought in all eight of his targets for 112 yards. This was his second-straight contest tallying at least 100 yards and the fourth time this season he has accomplished this feat. Since Week 12, he has averaged a strong 15.2 PPR points per game. Even though Joshua Dobbs will be under center on Sunday, Kittle remains a must-start tight end if he is cleared to play.
Jan 1, 2025 4:05 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle had another valuable fantasy day in a 40-34 home loss to the Detroit Lions on Monday night. Kittle hauled in all eight of his targets for 112 receiving yards. For most Kittle managers, tonight caps off an excellent fantasy season. It marks his fourth 1,000-yard season and while he falls short of his 2022 career-high 11 touchdowns -- he's at eight with one game to play -- Kittle was incredibly dependable this season after a rollercoaster 2023 campaign. Excluding the two games missed due to injury, Kittle has come in below 10 half-PPR points just three times this season. He'll try to defend his 0.2-point lead as the season-long half-PPR TE1 over Las Vegas Raiders rookie phenom Brock Bowers when the 49ers travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday in Week 18. He'll be a must-start for anyone still in redraft championships, but DFS players would be wise to consider the injury status of starting quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow).
Dec 31, 2024 2:34 AM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle will clash with the Detroit Lions at home on Monday Night Football. Last week in Miami, Kittle hauled in eight of nine targets for 106 yards. Kittle has been an excellent fantasy asset this season, no doubt occupying the TE slot for more than a few teams fighting for a championship this week. He is the leader at the position in half-PPR points per game (13.7), and just 3.9 points off the total pace set by Las Vegas Raiders rookie phenom Brock Bowers despite Kittle missing two games to injury. Detroit's pass defense ranks sixth-worst in terms of yardage but is the single stingiest defense to tight ends in fantasy at 6.4 points allowed per game. Regardless, Kittle has been too steadily productive all year to start worrying about matchups. Fire up Kittle as a top-2 option in Week 17.
Dec 28, 2024 11:53 PM EST
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle delivered another solid performance during a Week 16 loss to the Dolphins in Miami on Sunday. The two-time first-team All-Pro took a co-team-leading nine targets to pace the 49ers in receptions (8) and receiving yards (106). Besides missing two games with injury, Kittle has been extremely reliable this season, surpassing half-PPR Yahoo projections in 10-of-13 starts. One would imagine that Kittle will be well-represented among fantasy teams vying for championships in Week 17 when the 49ers host the Detroit Lions. Kittle will be a no-brainer start in that one regardless of matchup but should be played with increased confidence as the Lions' prolific offense is likely to force the 49ers to make heavy use of their passing attack.
Dec 23, 2024 12:27 AM EST