Who Should I Start? George Kittle or Mike Gesicki

Saturday, August 16, 3:55 PM

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.

Wednesday, August 20, 3:51 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight ends Mike Gesicki (hamstring) and Drew Sample (undisclosed) are considered day-to-day and could play in the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts if they are needed, according to The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. We'd be surprised if Gesicki actually played this weekend, but he should be just fine for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Cleveland Browns in the first week of September. Noah Fant could take some looks away from Gesicki in two-tight end sets in 2025, but the full expectation is that Gesicki will remain the team's No. 1 pass-catcher at the position. The 29-year-old had 65 catches for 665 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 games in his first year in Cincinnati and should be viewed as a low-end TE2 target in an offense with a elite 1-2 receiver punch in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.