San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been removed from the injury report and is expected to play in the team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. Kittle, 32, suffered a ruptured Achilles injury in the NFC Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, an injury that typically requires 9-12 months of recovery.
Kittle's return comes just eight months after the injury. He underwent surgery and has since worked to accelerate his rehabilitation. Six months post-surgery, Kittle shared a video of himself deadlifting 665 pounds, showcasing his progress. He was activated from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list by the 49ers late last month and has participated in team practices since.
"It's been incredible watching him throughout his rehab process," teammate Kyle Juszczyk told reporters. Quarterback Brock Purdy described Kittle's road to recovery as "remarkable."
The 49ers are set to face the Rams on Friday. The game is scheduled to air on Netflix at 5:35 p.m. PT.