San Francisco 49ers veteran tight end George Kittle’s groin injury is considered serious enough that he’s unlikely to play Sunday against the Chicago Bears, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
George Kittle injury update
One source characterized Kittle’s status as being fluid but emphasized the groin injury is “not good,” adding that it would be optimal for him to rest and rehab for a week or two.
Another source called it a Grade 2 strain that has limited Kittle’s top-end speed. One of the top tight ends in the game and well known for his toughness, Kittle wouldn’t shock anyone if he opted to play through the injury. Nonetheless, his chances of playing nearly the entire season are considered much more likely if he sits out the season opener and doesn’t further aggravate the injury.
Kittle hurt his groin on Monday and didn’t practice Wednesday, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
“I’m not sure,” Shanahan said Wednesday when asked about Kittle’s status. “I was hoping he would be good today. He did it a little bit on Monday and not feeling good today, so we’ll have to see day-by-day.”
Kittle missed three games last season due to a calf injury but still caught 71 passes for 910 yards and six touchdowns. He has previously injured his foot, knee, and hamstring.
The 49ers have solid depth at the position, with Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley, and Tyler Kroft as stand-ins if Kittle misses time.
Kittle, though, is one of the top tight ends in the game. He’s a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and the former Iowa standout was a first-team All-Pro in 2019.
Signed to a five-year, $75 million contract as the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, Kittle caught seven passes for 108 yards in the postseason last year. He caught a touchdown in an NFC Championship Game loss to the Los Angeles Rams. For his career, Kittle has 335 catches for 4,489 yards for 20 touchdowns.
Kittle became the first tight end to lead the NFL in yards after the catch with 870 yards. He owns the record for the most receiving yards in his first three seasons by a tight end with 2,945. And he holds franchise records for most receiving yards in a game by a tight end, most catches by a tight end in a season, and was the first tight end in 49ers history to exceed 1,000 receiving yards.