...
By Ricardo Sandoval
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The San Francisco 49ers may be moving on to the divisional round this weekend, but they will be without the heart and soul of their team: tight end George Kittle.
Kittle is ruled out for the rest of the playoffs and then some after suffering a devastating torn Achilles on Sunday in their win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 32-year-old was carted to the locker room in the second quarter of the game after he made a six-yard catch. As he attempted to turn upfield, Kittle's right leg gave away as Eagles linebacker Zack Bun tackled him. He stayed down as the training staff rushed to him.
Read More on NFL
The loss of Kittle is undoubtedly a brutal one as the 49ers will look to accomplish another upset this weekend against the No. 1 seed in the NFC and their bitter rivals, the Seattle Seahawks. So now the big question: when will Kittle actually be back?
More news: Jets Sign Veteran QB Bailey Zappe Amid Justin Fields Uncertainty
...
NFL injury expert Jesse Morse broke down what Kittle is dealing with and what kind of return timeline the seven-time Pro Bowler may be looking at.
"I don't think it is probably realistic for him to be completely ready for Week 1, although I wouldn't put it out as a possibility," Morse said. "This is a significant impact on his value going forward and whether or not he is going to be very effective for the rest of his career."
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media on Kittle's injury after the game.
"You don't have to address that," Shanahan said. "Guys know right away. ... We were happy with how it was going in the first half and thought we'd have the grit to finish it."
Kittle finished the game with one reception on two targets for six yards. In the season, Kittle struggled to stay on the field, playing in 11 games and tallied 57 receptions for 628 yards, seven touchdowns, and averaged 11 yards per reception.
The former Iowa Hawkeye completed his ninth season in the league, and his 10th season in 2026 could be in jeopardy.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines