George Kittle Weighs In on 49ers Injury Rumors, Calls for Clarity from Team and League
The San Francisco 49ers have had their fair share of injury setbacks this season-some of them devastating, others just plain strange. But when a midseason theory started circulating that the team’s injury woes might be linked to their proximity to an electrical substation, things got even weirder. And now, one of the team’s leaders is speaking up.
George Kittle, who suffered an Achilles injury during the wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles, addressed the rumors during Super Bowl week. In a conversation with Jordan Rose of Complex, the All-Pro tight end didn’t dismiss the theory outright. Instead, he called for transparency and investigation-something he believes every player deserves when it comes to their health.
“If something’s affecting us-even if it’s just 0.25 percent-you’d want to know about it,” Kittle said. “Whether it’s the type of cleats you wear or the shoulder pads you use, if it increases your risk of injury, you’d probably want to change that.”
It’s a fair point. Athletes at the highest level obsess over every detail-diet, sleep, gear, recovery methods-all in the name of maximizing performance and reducing risk. So if there’s even a sliver of a chance that something in the environment could be contributing to injuries, players want answers.
“All we’re saying is, we’d just like to look into it to make sure it’s not something,” Kittle added. “I’d appreciate it if someone did the research and said, ‘Hey, this isn’t going to affect you guys.’ Then we can move on.”
Kittle’s injury came in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 23-19 playoff win in Philadelphia, another blow in a season already marred by health setbacks. Before Kittle went down, the Niners had already lost key stars like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and Mykel Williams to season-ending injuries. Quarterback Brock Purdy also missed time, opening the door for Mac Jones to step in under center.
It’s been a tough stretch for a team that’s built its identity on physicality and depth. But when that depth gets tested week after week, questions are bound to surface-especially when the injuries start piling up in ways that feel eerily consistent.
To be clear, the league hasn’t found any evidence supporting the theory. NFL Chief Medical Officer Dr.
Allen Sills has publicly stated that there’s no data linking the injuries to the substation. But he also didn’t close the door completely, saying the league isn’t ruling anything out.
That’s where Kittle’s comments carry weight. He’s not pushing a conspiracy-he’s asking for clarity. And in a league where careers can be altered in a single play, that’s not too much to ask.
As the 49ers look to regroup and reload for another run, the hope is that the injury bug doesn’t follow them into next season. But in the meantime, Kittle and his teammates just want to make sure they’re not fighting an invisible opponent off the field, too.