ClutchPoints
The San Francisco 49ers have battled injuries for a number of years now, and their 2025 season ended with a heartbreaking one. During San Francisco’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round, star tight end George Kittle went down with a torn Achilles and was carted off the field.
The injury was suffered in January, and most torn Achilles injuries take almost a year to recover from, if not longer. That would take Kittle out for at least the start of the regular season, if not deep into November or December.
However, Kittle is one of the toughest players in the NFL, and he isn’t planning on being out that long. On Wednesday, he wouldn’t shut down the idea that he could be ready for a Week 1 clash with the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
“49ers TE George Kittle says it’s realistic he could be back from his Achilles injury to play Week 1 against the Rams in Australia. He said he has ‘a chance’ and that everything is on track,” Wagoner reported on X, formerly Twitter. “He did some running on side today, saying it’s the most he’s done in his recovery.”
The 49ers would certainly love to have Kittle available for Week 1, as they have no time to rest. Jumping into the season with a crucial divisional game against another playoff contender is no easy task, so the Niners will take all the help they can get.
Kittle struggled with a number of injuries during the 2025 season, limiting him to just 11 games. Despite that, he still caught 57 balls got 628 yards and seven touchdowns and was one of the top weapons for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
While he may not still be at the park of his powers, Kittle is still one of the best tight ends in football. He is an elite blocker and a hassle to get on the ground after the catch. With Brandon Aiyuk likely not coming back and Jauan Jennings gone, Brock Purdy will be relying on Kittle even more in the passing game this fall.
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