The San Francisco 49ers may be on track to have tight end George Kittle available for their Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams. The team’s decision to place tight end Brayden Willis on the practice squad has opened a roster spot that could be filled by Kittle, hinting at his potential return.
Quarterback Brock Purdy expressed optimism about Kittle’s recovery, describing his hard work during recent practices as “awesome” and noting how good it feels to have him back on the field. Purdy emphasized Kittle’s explosiveness and electric presence, stating, “Just seeing him back on the field, running around, and how explosive he is as a tight end, it’s like, ‘Alright, it feels really good to have him back.’”
Kittle has been rehabilitating a ruptured Achilles injury sustained during the NFC Wild Card game last season. Typically, recovery from such an injury takes nine to twelve months, but Kittle has been working towards an eight-month return. He was observed participating in team workouts during the offseason, including Organized Team Activities and training camp. Videos posted by Kittle also showed him training at his home in Tennessee, indicating a rapid recovery process.
Purdy further commended Kittle’s dedication, saying, “He did everything he could to get back for Week 1. That’s a credit to him. That’s actually remarkable to be able to have that kind of injury and do what he did to get back.”
As of now, Kittle’s availability for Friday's game against the Rams in Australia remains uncertain and will likely be a game-time decision.