George Kittle isn’t wired like most players. Less than two weeks after undergoing surgery for a torn Achilles - the kind of injury that can derail careers - the 49ers’ All-Pro tight end was already back on his feet.
Not on the football field just yet, of course, but on the golf course. And while that might raise some eyebrows, it’s classic Kittle: relentless, passionate, and refusing to let a setback define him.
Kittle suffered the season-ending injury during San Francisco’s wild-card matchup against the Eagles, a brutal blow for a Niners team that leaned heavily on his physicality and leadership. Without him in the lineup, the offense sputtered in the divisional round against Seattle, managing just six points in a game that felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. His absence wasn’t just felt - it was glaring.
The emotional toll was evident in real time. His wife, Claire, captured what so many fans were feeling with her raw reaction in the stands at Lincoln Financial Field.
For a player like Kittle, who pours every ounce of himself into the game, it was a gut punch. But true to form, he didn’t disappear into the shadows.
In a video shared by the X account “Coach Yac,” Kittle is seen out on the golf course, swinging a club - not just any club, but a power-assisted one made by EzeeGolf. It’s designed to minimize the physical strain of a traditional swing, meaning Kittle could hit the ball without having to plant, rotate, or even fully stand. It’s not exactly Augusta-ready form, but it’s a clear sign: the man isn’t sitting still.
For Kittle, golf isn’t just a hobby - it’s a release. And even in the early stages of rehab, he’s finding ways to keep his mind and body moving.
That kind of mental approach matters. Recovery from an Achilles tear is no walk in the park, but staying engaged, staying competitive - even in a different sport - can be a huge part of the healing process.
Support hasn’t just come from the football world, either. WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, a fellow golf enthusiast, reached out with a message of encouragement. It’s a small gesture, but it speaks to the respect Kittle commands across the sports landscape.
As for the injury itself, Kittle offered some insight into the severity - and the silver lining - in a conversation with ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “Surgery went really, really good,” he said.
“Best-case scenario when you tear an Achilles is that you tear it up high by your soleus, which is what I did. I had a clean tear.
They didn’t have to drill into my heel. And where the repair was, there’s more blood flow.
And so it takes some time off of the recovery time… It’s not as bad as other ones.”
That’s a big deal. Achilles injuries vary, and a clean tear in a high location tends to heal more efficiently - especially for an athlete who attacks rehab like Kittle does.
Still, he’s keeping his return timeline close to the vest. “I want it to be a surprise,” he added.
But he didn’t mince words about the moment it happened: “It felt like someone put a shotgun up against my calf and pulled the trigger… The second it happened, I knew exactly what it was.”
It’s a brutal image, but one that speaks to the violence of the game - and the toughness of the player. Football’s unforgiving, and Kittle knows that better than most.
But even after a crushing end to a promising season, he’s not sulking. He’s grinding, smiling, and yes, swinging a golf club.
The 49ers' 2025 campaign was a rollercoaster - from early struggles to a late-season surge that put them back in the playoff mix. They went from worst to first in their division, and with a few smart moves this offseason, they’re positioned to make another run. If Kittle can return anywhere close to full strength, his presence could be a difference-maker once again.
For now, the road back continues. But if there’s one thing we know about George Kittle, it’s that you can’t count him out - not on the field, not on the golf course, not anywhere.