The highest-profile 49er remaining on the team’s active/PUP list, George Kittle continues to make strides as the team readies for its regular-season opener. Although the 49ers traveling to Australia for a Rams matchup offers a complication, the All-Pro tight end is looking likely to be available.
Kittle’s progress has created a “high level” of confidence he will be ready for Week 1, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz notes. Kittle joins 2025 first-rounder Mykel Williams and running back Isaac Guerendo as 49ers remaining on the PUP list.
After landing on IR with a hamstring injury in September last year, Kittle closed the regular season with two torn ankle ligaments. While the potential Hall of Famer returned for San Francisco’s wild-card win in Philadelphia, the Achilles tear he sustained in that game has defined his offseason. John Lynch, however, expressed hope back in April Kittle would be ready for the opener. No setbacks have occurred since.
Injuries, of course, have been a regular 49ers talking point in recent years. Kittle, though, has mostly been available since missing a sizable chunk of the 2020 season. From 2021-24, Kittle missed only seven regular-season games due to injury. Last season did present trouble via the three above-referenced maladies, so Kittle’s form will be closely monitored upon return. The 49ers gave the 32-year-old TE a four-year, $76.4MM extension during the 2025 offseason. His 2026 compensation is fully guaranteed, while a $2MM guarantee awaits in 2027.
If Kittle returns for the opener, the 49ers will have a veteran pass-catching arsenal ready to complement Brock Purdy once again. The team signed Mike Evans and brought back Deebo Samuel. Christian Kirk joins intriguing second-round rookie De’Zhaun Stribling as additional options. While Purdy will once again have four former All-Pro weapons at his disposal — when Christian McCaffrey is included — San Francisco will be the rare team to deploy four 30-somethings as still-position starters.
McCaffrey and Samuel turned 30 this offseason, while Evans is heading into an age-33 season. Kittle will turn 33 in October. Kirk will turn 30 in November, and fellow backup option Demarcus Robinson will turn 32 in September. The injury risk for this group is high, but San Francisco appears close to having the veteran cadre ready to roll from the start.
