San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has a legitimate shot at playing in the season opener following a positive update on his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
“Sources: 49ers tight end George Kittle visited Wednesday in Los Angeles with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery on his torn Achilles in January. It was said to be an encouraging visit. Kittle’s recovery is ahead of schedule, and it gives him a legitimate chance to play in the regular season opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams,” Schefter reported on X.
Kittle suffered the injury to his right Achilles on Jan. 11 during the 49ers’ wild-card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He was carted off the field after the tendon ruptured on a routine play, ending his postseason run and leading to surgery shortly afterward.
ElAttrache performed the procedure in Los Angeles. The tear was described as a clean break higher up on the tendon near the soleus muscle, a location that allows for better blood flow and is generally viewed as more favorable for recovery speed compared with lower ruptures.
NFL players recovering from Achilles tears typically face timelines of nine to 12 months before returning to action. Research on return-to-play outcomes indicates that about 66 to 72 percent of players eventually get back on the field, with average recovery periods often spanning 10 to 11 months.
Modern surgical approaches employed by specialists such as ElAttrache have enabled some athletes to accelerate that process in recent years.
Kittle has remained on the physically unable to perform list through training camp as he continues his rehabilitation program. The 32-year-old, who turns 33 in October, has progressed to running and conditioning work while staying limited from full participation in team practices.
The 49ers open the 2026 regular season against the Rams on Sept. 10 at Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia. The game will be the first NFL regular-season contest held in the country and is set for a Thursday night start in the United States, creating a tight schedule for travel and preparation.
Kittle’s potential return would provide a major boost to an offense that depends on his skills as both a receiver and blocker. In 11 games during the 2025 regular season, he finished with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns before the injury ended his campaign.
In his nine-year NFL career, spent entirely with San Francisco, Kittle has accumulated 595 receptions for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns across 124 games. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a two-time first-team All-Pro, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier tight ends.
Team officials have expressed measured optimism about his progress in prior comments. General manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have pointed to steady advancement in the recovery process without committing to a specific return date.
ElAttrache’s track record includes treating numerous high-profile athletes and employing techniques that can support earlier activity. His methods have contributed to faster recoveries for several NFL players dealing with significant tendon injuries.
Kittle has previously noted that he is achieving target speeds in running sessions and remains confident about eventually being activated from the PUP list. Playing in the opener would represent a return roughly eight months after surgery, significantly ahead of conventional expectations for the injury.
The long flight to Melbourne adds further considerations. Any decision on Kittle’s availability will account for both medical clearance and the physical strain of international travel followed by quick adaptation to game demands.
With the preseason winding down, Schefter’s report strengthens the outlook that one of the 49ers’ most dynamic offensive contributors could be available when the regular season begins overseas. Ongoing evaluations in the weeks ahead will determine if that opportunity materializes on the field in Australia.
