San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is making steady progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, with team officials expressing optimism about his availability for the start of the regular season.
CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz reported Monday, citing sources, that “there’s a high level of confidence at this point that he’ll end up being able to play Week 1” when the 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams.
Kittle sustained the injury during the NFC wild-card playoff game last season, a 23-19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He left the contest believing he had suffered an ankle problem, only for further evaluation to reveal the more severe Achilles tear that ended his postseason.
The setback capped a frustrating year for the Pro Bowl tight end. He already had sat out six regular-season contests because of a torn hamstring and an ankle issue, limiting him to 11 appearances. In those games he recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
The 49ers as a whole endured a wave of significant injuries in 2025. Starting quarterback Brock Purdy missed eight games, while linebacker Fred Warner and defensive end Nick Bosa both suffered season-ending ailments.
Warner has returned to full health heading into the new campaign. Bosa, recovering from an ACL tear, has sat out four consecutive practices with soreness and remains limited as the team monitors his workload.
Running back Christian McCaffrey also sat out Monday’s practice session because of tightness in an unspecified area. Coaches described the absence as a precautionary measure aimed at preventing a more serious problem from developing.
Meanwhile, Kittle was spotted in a training-camp video working on the side of the field. He caught a pass and sprinted down the sideline, offering a tangible sign of his improving condition roughly a month before the season begins.
The 49ers open the year against the Rams on Friday, Sept. 11, at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia. That international matchup will provide an early look at how the roster holds up with key players returning.
Oddsmakers currently project San Francisco to finish above its win total of 9.5 games, reflecting confidence that a healthier squad can contend again.
The NFC West remains a formidable division. The Seattle Seahawks enter as defending Super Bowl champions, and the Rams have strengthened their defense through offseason additions.
A reduced injury toll could position the 49ers as genuine contenders once more. Last year’s absences forced constant adjustments and limited their ceiling despite flashes of strong play.
Kittle’s potential Week 1 return would give the offense a reliable receiving threat and a key blocker in the run game. His presence has long been central to the team’s identity under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Team officials continue to emphasize patience with all recovering players, balancing the desire to win early with the need to keep stars available through a long season.
If Kittle and others stay on the field, the 49ers believe they can navigate a tough division and make a deeper playoff run than the one that ended in the wild-card round a year ago.
