The 49ers’ latest roster decision says plenty about where things stand with George Kittle.
San Francisco cut tight end Brayden Willis, then brought him back on the practice squad, a move that suggests the team felt comfortable enough with its tight end depth to risk exposing him to waivers. If another club had claimed Willis, the 49ers would have been down a body at a spot that suddenly looked a little more delicate with Kittle working his way back from last January’s Achilles tear.
Willis had made the initial 53-man roster, which had opened the door to the idea that Kittle might not be ready for the regular-season opener. But the fact that the 49ers were willing to let Willis go through waivers points toward a much better read on Kittle’s chances to be available in Week 1.
That shouldn’t be taken as a massive surprise. Willis hasn’t done much over his first three seasons, so there wasn’t much reason to think other teams would rush to scoop him up.
Even with the roster churn, San Francisco still looks reasonably solid at tight end. Jake Tonges gives them a legitimate receiving option after showing last year that he can catch the ball.
Luke Farrell brings more value as a blocker. And then there’s Kyle Juszczyk, who can fill in just about anywhere, including tight end if the 49ers need him there.
The one place this could get tricky is if the position takes another hit before game day. An injury in practice could force San Francisco into another move, and Khalil Dinkins is on the practice squad if they need an elevation. But Dinkins is an undrafted free agent, so if Tonges were unavailable and Kittle couldn’t play, the 49ers would be left with Farrell and Dinkins - a pair that doesn’t offer much as a receiving duo.
For now, though, the bigger takeaway is the simplest one: the 49ers seem to believe Kittle has a real chance to be on the field. He probably won’t need to play every snap, and it would make sense if he handled only about half of the offense’s plays. But the decision on Willis suggests San Francisco is at least feeling good enough to keep moving as if Kittle will be there.
In Other News...
Grant Cohn Is Somehow Becoming Part Of The 49ers Opener Story
The 49ers trip to Australia for their international opener against the Rams has produced the usual flood of game-week content, but one familiar Bay Area voice has become part of the conversation for a different reason. Grant Cohn, the veteran reporter known for his sharp criticism of San Francisco, has drawn attention overseas not for a practice note or matchup breakdown, but for the way he has documented the experience around the game.
His social media posts about local food and cultural stops have caught on with audiences well beyond the standard football crowd, turning a routine road assignment into something of a sideshow. Cohn has long been a polarizing figure around the 49ers because of his public clashes with players and the confrontational style he often brings to his coverage, and now even that reputation is being folded into a story that started with the opener itself. [Read more 🡒]
Deebo Samuels New Role Puts 49ers Rookie In Week 1 Spotlight
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Deebo Samuels designation as the primary kick returner adds another layer to the picture, hinting at a reduced load on offense and opening the door for Stribling to see real early-season snaps. For a San Francisco passing game already adjusting on the fly, the rookies next chance may come right away, and it will be worth watching how quickly the staff leans into that opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
49ers First Injury Report Raises An Early Lineup Concern
The first injury report of the season gave the 49ers an immediate dose of reality, with several familiar names showing up before the week has even really settled in. Nick Bosa and George Kittle were both listed, and the report also brought a new concern on the defensive side when rookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins appeared for the first time with a knee injury. It is the kind of early-week update that can quickly shape how a staff approaches practice, especially when core pieces are already under the microscope.
For now, the encouraging part is who was not there. Christian McCaffrey was absent from the report, and Mike Evans also did not appear, which helps keep at least some of the focus on the players who are actually dealing with issues. Still, Collins new injury designation stands out as the one to monitor, because even in September, the 49ers know how quickly a depth concern can become a bigger storyline if it lingers. [Read more 🡒]