The 49ers came out of their Monday night win over the Colts with a sigh of relief - at least when it comes to George Kittle. The star tight end avoided a high ankle sprain, which is good news considering how tricky those injuries can be. But that doesn't mean he's a lock to suit up against the Bears this Sunday night.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Kittle “has a chance” to play, but he won’t be practicing on Wednesday. That’s not unusual for a veteran dealing with a lower-body injury, especially one coming off a heavy workload.
And Kittle certainly earned some rest - he was electric against Indianapolis, hauling in seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown. He looked every bit the game-changer the 49ers count on, especially in critical moments.
The 49ers are clearly playing the long game here. With postseason aspirations in full swing, there’s little reason to rush Kittle back if he’s not close to 100%. But his presence - both as a pass-catcher and a blocker - is a massive part of what makes San Francisco’s offense hum.
Elsewhere on the injury front, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is the only other player officially out of practice Wednesday, sidelined with a hamstring issue. That’s a situation worth monitoring, given his role in the defensive line rotation and the physicality the 49ers like to bring up front.
As for Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams, they’re simply taking rest days - standard vet maintenance for two of the team’s most important players. No alarms there.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and cornerback Renardo Green, both of whom missed the Colts game, are expected to be limited participants in practice. Pearsall is working through knee and ankle issues, while Green is dealing with a neck injury. Getting either one back, even in a limited capacity, would be a step in the right direction for a team that values depth as much as star power.
Bottom line: the 49ers are banged up, but not broken. Kittle’s status will be one to watch as the week unfolds, and while his availability could swing the dynamics of Sunday night’s matchup, San Francisco is doing what smart contenders do - managing injuries with January in mind.