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By Matthew Couden
Contributing Writer
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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is gearing up for his return this coming season after suffering a torn Achilles in the NFL Playoffs.
On Monday, CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported (via sources) that "there’s a high level of confidence at this point that he’ll end up being able to play Week 1" against the Los Angeles Rams.
He initially suffered the injury in the NFC Wild Card Round during his team's 23-19 win over the Philadelphia Eagles. At the time, Kittle exited the game with what everyone thought was an ankle injury, only to learn later that he had a more serious season-ending injury.
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That unfortunate injury occurred after the Pro Bowl tight end missed six games during the regular season due to several injuries, including a torn hamstring and an ankle injury. Ultimately, Kittle appeared in 11 games for San Francisco last season, with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
More news: Micah Parsons Sends Strong Message Ahead of Packers’ Injury Return
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The San Francisco 49ers could be a team to watch if they can have a less injury-plagued season in 2026. In addition to Kittle missing six games, starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight games, and linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa suffered season-ending injuries.
Warner is healthy again, but Bosa has missed four consecutive 49ers practices due to soreness and has been limited at practice amid recovery from last season's ACL injury. In addition, Christian McCaffrey was held out of Monday's practice due to "tightness" in an unspecified part of his body.
The 49ers reportedly gave the star running back the day off as they're managing his workload to ensure something more serious doesn't develop.
While McCaffrey didn't practice, Kittle appeared in a training camp video from CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz of him working out off to the side and catching a pass before running down the field. It's definitely an encouraging sign as their season opener is about a month away.
Many believe that the NFC South is the toughest division in the NFL, and rightfully so. The 49ers will contend with the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Rams, who loaded up their roster, especially on the defensive side, during the offseason.
Still, sportsbooks have the 49ers favored to go over their win total of 9.5 games. That season opener will occur at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday, Sept. 11, giving an early indication of how this team could look with Kittle and others back in the lineup.
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For more about the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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