The Los Angeles Rams got a tough break just hours before kickoff in Melbourne, with San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle set to return from injury and give the other sideline a major boost.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Kittle, who tore his right Achilles tendon on Jan. 11, had been limited in practice this week before being cleared to play. Schefter wrote that Kittle is “off the injury report and scheduled to return to play tonight in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.”
That’s a significant development for San Francisco. Kittle has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends since entering the NFL in 2017, piling up 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 games. Even in the season before his injury, he found the end zone seven times in 11 games.
For Sean McVay and the Rams, though, the bigger blow is on the other side of the ball. Veteran defender Aaron Donald will not make the trip to Australia because of injury and has been ruled out for the game.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle and another key player, Nick Bosa, are both working their way back from major injuries, and San Francisco will be careful with how it handles them.
“We got to be smart with that,” Shanahan said Wednesday. “They both look great and stuff, but we also definitely have to be smart with that.”
Kittle’s return comes quickly. The seven-time Pro Bowler suffered the injury in January against the Philadelphia Eagles, and while recoveries from that kind of setback usually take nine to 12 months, he is back in about seven.
Analyst David J. Chao said the 49ers are unlikely to ask Kittle to play at full throttle for the entire game. Instead, he expects him to be used mainly as a blocker.
"I'm sure George Kittle is lobbying to play Thursday. I expect the 49ers to let him suit up, but use him primarily as a blocker. I don't see him playing 50 snaps at full speed."
Bosa is also expected to see only limited time as the 49ers try to avoid another setback. Shanahan said Christian McCaffrey has no such restrictions, with the star running back fully healthy and “100% ready for the game.”
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