The San Francisco 49ers received a major boost on Thursday as tight end George Kittle confirmed he plans to play in Sunday’s Week 7 home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Kittle, who has battled a hamstring injury since the season opener, revealed that while the final decision rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan, his expectation is to suit up.
George Kittle Trending Toward Return
The 32-year-old Iowa product initially appeared briefly in San Francisco’s opener against the Seahawks before suffering a complete hamstring tear, sidelining him for more than a month. Through one game this season, Kittle has recorded four receptions for 25 yards and one touchdown. Despite the modest stats, his presence in the lineup is significant for a team navigating injuries at key positions.
San Francisco officially designated Kittle to return from injured reserve on Thursday, opening a three-week window for activation. 49ers GM John Lynch had indicated last week that he was “fairly confident” Kittle would be designated to return, so Thursday’s announcement comes as expected.
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Kittle was part of a string of encouraging updates in Thursday’s practice report. Quarterback Brock Purdy, wide receivers Skyy Moore and Dominick Puni, and several others participated in limited drills, showing progress toward game readiness. Kittle and Purdy were both limited Wednesday, but neither suffered setbacks, signaling a smooth recovery trajectory.
Unfortunately, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling did not participate due to a calf injury, leaving his Week 7 availability uncertain. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall also remained out.
Significance for the 49ers
Kittle’s return bolsters a 49ers offense contending with a slew of injuries while holding a three-way tie atop the NFC West with the Rams and Seahawks. A healthy Kittle provides a trusted target for Purdy and adds a veteran presence in the passing game as San Francisco looks to maintain its competitive edge in the division.
With Kittle back, the 49ers appear to be trending in the right direction, giving Shanahan more options as the team aims to weather its injury challenges heading into a critical matchup against Atlanta.