49ers Team Needs For The 2026 Offseason: Get Brock Purdy Some Pass Catchers Ian Hartitz breaks down what the San Francisco 49ers need to do to get back on top of the NFC ahead of the 2026 NFL season. [Read More]

From FantasyLife

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said on Monday that he expects to return from his torn Achilles "well before November" while also saying he could play close to the 2026 regular-season opener, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11 and had successful surgery last week. Kittle's Achilles tear was a best-case scenario because he suffered a "clean tear." "They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said. "And where the repair was, there's more blood flow. And so it takes some time off the recovery time." The 32-year-old only played in 11 regular-season games due to injuries in 2025, although he was the TE3 in half-PPR fantasy points per game (12.1), catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven TDs. While Kittle is optimistic about his recovery, fantasy managers should expect him to miss potentially half the 2026 season.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) said be believes he will return to the lineup before November and hopes to be able play closer to the start of the 2026 regular season.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle suffered the injury during the playoffs, so there is a good chance that he will miss some regular season games in 2026. Fantasy players should monitor the situation during training camp to have a better idea of his timetable. He is a No. 1 fantasy tight end when healthy, but players may need a short-term replacement at the position until Kittle returns.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right Achilles tendon on Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle was placed on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and will miss the rest of the playoffs. Because his injury occurred so late in the year, too, the 32-year-old veteran almost certainly won't be ready for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall. In fact, he could end up missing the majority of next regular season after tearing his Achilles in the Wild-Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles last Sunday. Going into this Saturday's NFC Divisional contest against the Seattle Seahawks, Jake Tonges will take over as the Niners' top pass-catching tight end. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler, still has high-end TE1 upside when healthy, but durability concerns will drastically affect his 2026 fantasy value.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) will have surgery for his torn right Achilles tendon on Wednesday, Jan. 14. He suffered the injury in the team's NFC Wild Card game victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Fantasy Spin: With Kittle on the shelf for the rest of the season, and perhaps a decent chunk of the 2026 campaign, Jake Tonges is likely to be front and center in the team's offensive game plan. He and Luke Farrell are the next men up, and Tonges proved valuable when Kittle missed time due to a hamstring injury earlier in the regular season.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle was placed on the injured reserve on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and promoted TE Brayden Willis to the active roster.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Tuesday that star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) will have surgery to fix his torn Achilles tendon on Wednesday. Kittle tore his right Achilles tendon in Sunday's win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild-Card round, so the team will be without him for the rest of the postseason and most likely the start of next season. He also missed time with injuries in 2025, but when healthy, he was a top-five fantasy TE in terms of half-PPR points per game (12.1) with 57 catches on 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 regular-season contests. The rest of the way, Jake Tonges will step in as San Fran's top pass-catching TE. In the win over the Chicago Bears on Dec. 28 without Kittle available, Tonges had seven catches for 60 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was officially diagnosed with a torn Achilles following Sunday's Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed. The superstar tight end suffered a non-contact injury while catching a pass during the second quarter. Video from the FOX broadcast appeared to show a pop in the back of Kittle's leg, and he was carted to the locker room in visible pain. The 49ers quickly ruled him out with an Achilles injury, and it was later confirmed to be a tear. The 32-year-old will now embark on a lengthy recovery process. Not only is he done for the 2025 playoffs, but he could miss the start of the 2026 regular season. If so, he'll likely drop several spots in the 2026 fantasy football draft tight end rankings. Jake Tonges should step up as the 49ers' top tight end for the rest of the playoffs before he becomes a restricted free agent in March. In the six games that Kittle missed during the regular season, Tonges totaled 29 catches, 269 yards, and three touchdowns. He caught just one pass for 14 yards in Kittle's absence this Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Updating a previous report, San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (Achilles) has been ruled out for the remainder of the NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles after suffering a torn Achilles tendon on his first reception of the game in the second quarter.

Fantasy Spin: The Achilles' tendon is ruptured, according to several reports. He was ruled out quickly, and principal owner and CEO Jed York and Kittle's wife were reportedly in a somber mood walking into the locker room to see the player. He could be out for most of the offseason, while the start of his 2026 regular season might be in danger. We'll stay on top of it for you.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's playoff contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The superstar tight end appeared to suffer a non-contact injury while catching a pass during the second quarter. Video from the FOX broadcast appeared to show a pop in the back of Kittle's leg, creating concern for a severe Achilles injury. He immediately reached for his lower leg, was in visible pain, and had to be carted to the locker room. The 32-year-old will now undergo additional testing as the 49ers work toward an official diagnosis. If the team's worst fears are confirmed, Kittle will likely miss the remainder of the 2025 NFL playoffs. Jake Tonges should earn more snaps in his absence. In the six games that Kittle missed during the regular season, Tonges totaled 29 catches, 269 yards, and three touchdowns. Tonges is a talented pass-catching tight end, but he doesn't come close to filling the enormous void left behind by Kittle's injury.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (lower leg) suffered an apparent lower-leg injury on his first reception in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He immediately went down after his right leg was bent awkwardly, and he grabbed at the lower-leg area before being carted off.

Fantasy Spin: There is speculation of an Achilles issue, or an ankle injury. The fact is, there is no specific information available. We'll update as soon as there is official word from the team, but a more serious injury could potentially impact his offseason program and/or start of 2026.

From TheHuddle

Across 11 games played during the 2025 regular season, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 targets. After an injury-marred start to the year, Kittle closed the season strong. Across seven games from Week 10 onwards, Kittle recorded at least 13.8 PPR fantasy points five times. In the Wild Card round, Kittle and the 49ers will face a tough test against the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles' defense finished the regular season ranked fifth in yards per pass attempt allowed (6.4) and allowed the fewest passing touchdowns (14) of any team in the NFL. However, Kittle has proven throughout his nine-year NFL career that he's capable of producing against any opponent. He profiles as the number one tight end option for fantasy managers in playoff leagues in the Wild Card round.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers LB Luke Gifford (quadriceps), WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee) and LB Dee Winters (ankle) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 9, and are listed as questionable for the Wild Card playoff game. CE Renardo Green (ankle), DE Keion White (groin, hamstring) and OT Trent Williams (hamstring) were limited during practice and are listed as questionable. WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring) fully participated in practice but is listed as questionable. DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) did not practice but is not on the injury report. S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib), DT Kalia Davis (knee), DT Jordan Elliott (knee), TE George Kittle (ankle) and RB Christian McCaffrey (non-injury) fully participated in practice and are not on the injury report.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 9, and is not on the injury report for the Wild Card playoff game.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle has caught at least five passes in six of his last seven games and should see a good amount of targets again this week. He should be a No. 1 tight end in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) has been cleared from the final injury report and will play on Wild-Card weekend on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle missed Week 17 with a sprained ankle, but he returned to play 95% of the offensive snaps in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks last Saturday. The expectation all along was that the 32-year-old veteran Pro Bowler would be good to go for the first round of the playoffs. The matchup isn't great -- the Eagles' defense allowed the second-fewest half-PPR points to opposing TEs this year -- but Kittle should still be considered one of the best options at the position in fantasy playoff formats. Kittle averaged 12.1 half-PPR points per game (third-most at TE) in his 11 regular-season contests.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 8.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle should be on track to play in the Wild Card game as long as he does not suffer a setback in the next few days. He will see a good amount of targets if active and will be a starting option in all leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers LB Luke Gifford (quadriceps), WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee), DE Keion White (groin, hamstring) and LB Dee Winters (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 8. DT Jordan Elliott (knee), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee), TE George Kittle (ankle) and OT Trent Williams (hamstring) were limited during practice. S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib), WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring), DT Kalia Davis (knee) and RB Christian McCaffrey (non-injury) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle) was listed as a limited participant at practice again on Thursday, according to Cam Inman of the Bay Area News Group. Kittle missed Week 17 with an ankle injury, but he returned in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks to play 95% of the offensive snaps. The entire San Fran offense struggled mightily last Saturday night, though, and Kittle caught five passes for only 29 yards on seven targets. Barring a setback on Friday, Kittle should be fine to play in the Wild-Card round of the playoffs on Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles, where he should be heavily targeted with receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) likely out. Kittle should be in play as one of the most expensive TEs in DFS action this weekend, even though the Eagles allowed the second-fewest half-PPR fantasy points per game to the position during the regular season.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) was limited during practice Wednesday, Jan. 7.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle seems to be on track to play in the Wild Card playoff game, but fantasy players will know more about his status later in the week. He will see a good amount of targets if active and will be a starting option in all fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (non-injury), WR Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee), DE Keion White (groin, hamstring), OT Trent Williams (hamstring) and LB Dee Winters (ankle) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Jan. 7. DT Jordan Elliott (knee), LB Luke Gifford (quadriceps), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (knee) and TE George Kittle (ankle) were limited during practice. S Ji'Ayir Brown (rib), WR Jacob Cowing (hamstring) and DT Kalia Davis (knee) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle