While speaking with reporters during the first week of June, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suggested that he is “on track” to play in the 49ers’ Week 1 game versus the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, coming off the torn Achilles that he suffered this past January.
During a Tuesday appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Kittle insisted that “we’re getting there” as it pertains to being available for the 49ers shortly after the Labor Day holiday wraps up.
George Kittle “ahead of schedule” in injury recovery
“We’re making a ton of progress,” Kittle explained, per David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone. “My head [physical therapist] that works with [Dr. Neal] ElAttrache, who did my surgery out in L.A., they’re both super happy. Him and Heather are super stoked. And then, my team from the Niners, our trainers over there are super excited with my progress, and I’m definitely a little bit ahead of schedule.”
Back in February, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner hinted that the fact that Kittle suffered “a clean tear” on Jan. 11 made it possible that the 32-year-old may not miss even a single game during the 2026 season. That information was shared long before it was learned that the Rams would be acquiring star pass-rusher Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns this spring.
For a piece posted on Wednesday, Wagoner detailed how 49ers offensive line coach Chris Foerster has already begun preparing for San Francisco’s Garrett assignment. As much as Kittle wants to play against the Rams, it sounds like he won’t take a risk regarding his overall recovery.
“So, I’m super excited,” Kittle continued during Tuesday’s segment. “I have a goal to be out there Week 1 with the boys, and I’m going to do everything in my power to do it. And if I’m cleared and it’s smart for me to play, I’ll be out there. I have a chance, and I’m very excited. Give me a chance, I’ll take it.”
George Kittle gives Mike Evans his flowers
Kittle reportedly sold the 49ers “big time” to Mike Evans before the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver signed with San Francisco this past March. During a Tuesday appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Kittle touched upon what he has thus far seen from Evans during practices.
“Just having him in the building, one thing I just love about him is that he’s ultra-professional,” Kittle said about Evans, according to Bonilla. “Everything he does, how he warms up, how methodical he is, everything, how he catches the ball, his techniques, everything he does is like he’s preparing each practice like he’s preparing for a game. And it’s just fun to have a guy going into year 13 … who’s had immense success. He’s only two months older than me, which is crazy. But he’s just been playing at such a high level for so long. And just to have someone in the building like that, it’s awesome because all it could do is help us.”
Kittle is hoping he will be able to help the 49ers when they go up against Garrett and the Rams several months down the road.