George Kittle
Tight End #85
George Kittle News
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
George Kittle Not Yet Participating in Competitive Periods
San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list on Sunday and has since taken part in two training camp practices, though his involvement has been limited to non-competitive periods, according to 49ers digital editor Brooke Evans. On Tuesday, Kittle continued to run routes against air while working with quarterbacks and the offensive line in hopes of a potential return to action for a Week 1 divisional matchup with the Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Kittle ruptured his Achilles in a Wild Card playoff game against the Eagles less than eight months ago and has made remarkable progress just to get to this point, but now almost 33 years old and coming off a serious injury, there are reasons to fade Kittle as draft season ramps up. That said, he has been one of the position's most exciting and productive players for the better part of a decade, and even without the benefit of a possible early-season IR stash, he could prove to be one of the best values in 2026 drafts at his current ADP of TE13.
Aug 26, 2026 7:00 AM EST
George Kittle Activated From PUP List
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle took another important step toward a possible Week 1 return on Sunday. The 49ers activated Kittle from the active/PUP list, according to Adam Schefter, clearing him to practice as he continues working back from the torn right Achilles he suffered in January. Kittle underwent surgery three days after the injury and has spent training camp doing rehab work on the side. His activation also means he will not be moved to reserve/PUP, which would have required him to miss at least the first four games. Kittle caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games last season, so his return would immediately matter for fantasy managers. He has been ahead of schedule in his rehab and still has a legitimate chance to play against the Rams in Australia. That isn't guaranteed yet, but getting back onto the practice field puts him much closer.
Aug 23, 2026 9:19 AM EST
George Kittle Ahead of Schedule, Legitimate Chance to Play Week 1
According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, San Fransico 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) visited Wednesday in Los Angeles with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery on his torn Achilles in January. It was said to be an encouraging visit, with Kittle's recovery ahead of schedule, giving him a legitimate chance to play in the regular-season opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams. Kittle injured his Achilles in January during the second quarter of the 49ers' NFC Wild Card game, and while he is now 32 years old, it's a very encouraging sign for a 49ers offense that is dealing with injuries to wide receivers Mike Evans (quad) and has already lost Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the season. Kittle played in 11 games last season and was extremely efficient, hauling in 57 of his 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns with an 11.02 yards per reception. RotoBaller currently ranks Kittle as the TE9 for upcoming drafts; however, if he is cleared to play Week 1, that will surely go up. He has finished in the top five at the position in six of the last eight seasons, and in the two seasons he didn't, he played in no more than 11 games.
Aug 20, 2026 5:53 PM EST
George Kittle Says He's 'Pretty Close' in Achilles Rehab
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) gave another positive update on his recovery Sunday. While doing his on-field rehab, Kittle told Matt Barrows that he's "hitting numbers I need to hit" and is "pretty close." Kittle remains on the active/PUP list and hasn't returned to team practice yet after tearing his right Achilles during San Francisco's Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January. He has been working off to the side throughout camp as he continues to build toward football activity. Kittle has made Week 1 his goal, although coming back that quickly from a January Achilles tear would be an aggressive timeline. The 32-year-old was still productive when healthy last season, catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. There is still another step to take before Kittle is practicing with his teammates, but his latest comments suggest the rehab continues to move in the right direction.
Aug 16, 2026 12:07 PM EST
"High Level of Confidence" That George Kittle Will be Ready for Week 1
San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) "continues to make terrific progress" as he works his way back from the torn Achilles he suffered in the playoffs in January, and there's a "high level of confidence" at this point that he will be able to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The 32-year-old veteran remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp, but he was seen running routes, catching passes, and doing conditioning work before Monday's practice. It was the most extensive work that Kittle has done so far in camp, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, which gives hope for fantasy managers and the Niners that he'll be ready for the start of the season in September. When healthy, Kittle should continue to be one of quarterback Brock Purdy's most trusted aerial targets, especially with receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) already ruled out for the entire season. But because of his lengthy injury history and questionable availability for the start of the year, Kittle is no longer a high-end TE1 target in fantasy drafts, but rather a low-end TE1 target.
Aug 10, 2026 3:46 PM EST
George Kittle Still on PUP List
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Physically Unable to Participate list, and his status for the season opener is unclear. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in the NFC Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and is only seven months post-surgery, having undergone the procedure in January. The seven-time Pro Bowler had another strong 2025 season, hauling in 57 of 69 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games, averaging more than 12 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With the team beginning its season in Melbourne, Australia, in just over four weeks, Kittle will need to accelerate his recovery to be in the lineup against the division rival Los Angeles Rams. If Kittle is limited early or misses time, tight end Jake Tonges will be the primary replacement and had success in Kittle's absence in 2025.
Aug 9, 2026 7:12 AM EST
49ers Place George Kittle on PUP List to Start Training Camp
The San Francisco 49ers placed tight end George Kittle (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday for the start of training camp, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Kittle is not ready to join the rest of his teammates for the start of camp after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in the wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles back in January. He is optimistic that he will be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but fantasy managers shouldn't be nearly as optimistic. The 49ers can activate Kittle from the PUP list at any time this summer. If the 32-year-old veteran is not ready for the beginning of the 2026 season, Jake Tonges will step in as the team's top pass-catching TE. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, is a risk/reward low-end TE1 target as he heads into his 10th year in the NFL. He'd be a massive value at the position if he returns to his pre-injury form, but the odds are against that, and he could miss the first couple of weeks of the 2026 season.
Jul 25, 2026 10:46 AM EST
Jake Tonges Has Short-Term Appeal While George Kittle Recovers
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges gave fantasy managers a useful preview of what he can do when George Kittle is missing. In the six games Kittle sat last season, Tonges caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The other 11 games produced five catches for 24 yards. That is about as clean as it gets. San Francisco brought Tonges back on a two-year deal, so he should again handle most of the receiving work if Kittle is not ready. Kittle is targeting Week 1 after tearing his right Achilles in the playoffs, but no return date is locked in. Tonges could have some early streaming value if the recovery stretches into September. Once Kittle is back, though, the role can vanish in a hurry. At 27 and TE38 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, Tonges makes sense for contenders that need Kittle insurance or short-term depth. Rebuilders do not need to chase a player whose value depends almost entirely on someone else's rehab.
Jul 15, 2026 12:47 PM EST
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