The 49ers are riding high on a five-game winning streak, but heading into a marquee Week 17 showdown against the 11-4 Chicago Bears, there’s one major question mark hanging over the offense: Will George Kittle suit up?
Kittle, the All-Pro tight end and emotional heartbeat of this San Francisco team, is officially listed as questionable after missing the entire week of practice with a low-to-mid ankle sprain suffered in last week’s 48-27 win over the Colts. That’s not exactly the kind of injury you want your star tight end dealing with heading into a game with serious playoff implications.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had hoped Kittle might log some reps during the week, but as Friday came and went, the former Iowa standout remained sidelined. That leaves his status very much up in the air heading into Sunday night’s primetime matchup.
Still, there’s a sliver of optimism coming from inside the building. General manager John Lynch, speaking to reporters, made it clear that when it comes to Kittle, the team is willing to wait until the last possible moment.
“George is the type of player, you give him that type of latitude,” Lynch said. “We’ll give him up to the game.”
Translation: If there’s even a glimmer of hope he can go, Kittle will be out there. But make no mistake-this is shaping up to be a true game-time decision.
And if he can’t go? That’s a significant blow to a 49ers offense that’s been humming at an elite level.
Over the last five games, San Francisco has averaged a scorching 34.4 points per contest, and Kittle’s been a huge part of that surge. He’s hauled in 31 catches for 415 yards and four touchdowns during that stretch, including a monster performance against Indianapolis where he led the team with seven grabs for 115 yards and a score.
At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, Kittle isn’t just a reliable pass-catcher-he’s a tone-setter. His presence on the field changes how defenses line up, how safeties shade, and how linebackers operate.
He’s a mismatch nightmare and a blocker who thrives in Shanahan’s run-heavy schemes. Losing him, even for one game, shifts the dynamic of this offense.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Both the 49ers and Bears sit at 11-4, jockeying for playoff positioning in a tightly packed NFC. Sunday night’s game at Levi’s Stadium is more than just a battle between two heavyweights-it’s a potential playoff preview, and every edge matters.
Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on NBC, with streaming available on Peacock.
All eyes will be on the 49ers’ sideline pregame to see whether No. 85 is in pads or street clothes. If Kittle’s ankle holds up, he could be the difference in a game that feels like it’s going to come down to the wire.
If not, San Francisco will have to find a way to keep the offensive firepower rolling without one of its most dangerous weapons.