Who Should I Start? George Kittle or Dallas Goedert

Monday, February 23, 8:24 AM

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle's (Achilles) optimism for a speedy return in 2026 following a torn Achilles that he suffered in the Wild-Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles is realistic, according to Dr. Daniel Kaplan, an orthopedic surgeon. Kittle suffered a clean tear that happened high up by his soleus. "They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said. "And where the repair was is where there's more blood flow. And so, it takes some time off the recovery time." Barring a setback during his rehab, it's possible that Kittle could return to the field sometime around September. "It's reasonable to think Week 5 or so would be on the long end of a return," according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Kittle and the Niners are hopeful that when he's back, he'll be able to "return to somewhere close to his usual level of production." The 32-year-old will obviously be pretty risky in fantasy in 2026, but he'll be worth stashing everywhere. If Jake Tongues returns as a restricted free agent, he'll be a low-end TE1 sleeper in the first part of the year until Kittle returns.

Friday, January 9, 4:41 PM

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and has been cleared to play in Sunday's Wild-Card game versus the visiting San Francisco 49ers. The Eagles held Goedert out, as they did most of their starters, during the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Washington Commanders. The 31-year-old is ready to play this weekend, though, and he'll be one of the best choices at the TE position for fantasy managers competing in playoff leagues. Goedert tied for the league lead with Trey McBride for most touchdowns with 11 during the regular season. San Francisco's defense is also extremely banged up and allowed the eighth-most half-PPR points per game in 2025 to opposing tight ends. Goedert finished as the TE3 overall in half-PPR scoring, behind only McBride and Kyle Pitts Sr.