George Kittle’s status has been the headline hovering over Santa Clara all week - and for good reason. The 49ers tight end, a cornerstone of Kyle Shanahan’s offense and one of the league’s most dynamic weapons, is dealing with a low-to-mid ankle sprain suffered during San Francisco’s statement win over the Colts on Monday night. And with the Bears coming to town for a high-stakes NFC showdown, all eyes have been on whether No. 85 will suit up.
Kittle didn’t practice at all this week, and the team officially listed him as “questionable” on their final injury report. But on Sunday morning, reports surfaced that Kittle is “highly unlikely” to play against Chicago.
Still, in true Kittle fashion, he’s not going down without a fight. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the All-Pro tight end is determined to test the ankle pregame to see if there’s any chance he can give it a go.
That approach tracks with what 49ers GM John Lynch said earlier in the week. When it comes to a player like Kittle - who’s as tough as they come and as vital as anyone in the locker room - the team is willing to give him right up until kickoff to make the call.
“George is the type of player, you give him that type of latitude,” Lynch said. “We’ll give him up to the game.”
And this isn’t just any game. Both the 49ers and Bears are still very much in the hunt for the NFC’s top seed, and every snap matters.
San Francisco has been red-hot, riding a five-game winning streak and averaging 34.4 points per game during that stretch. Kittle has been a massive part of that surge - 31 catches, 415 yards, and four touchdowns over those five games.
He was electric again last Monday night, leading the team with seven receptions for 115 yards and a score.
There’s no sugarcoating it: Kittle’s presence - or absence - changes the entire complexion of this game. His ability to stretch the field, block like an extra lineman, and bring energy to every snap is nearly impossible to replicate.
Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium. Whether or not Kittle is in uniform, the stakes couldn’t be higher.