San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is set to play in the team’s season opener against the Los Angeles Rams after he was left off the official injury report.
The seven-time Pro Bowl tight end has spent the offseason recovering from a torn right Achilles tendon he suffered in the wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in January.
Kittle’s return comes a little more than seven months after the injury, a quicker timeline than the nine to 12 months many players need after an Achilles tear.
The 49ers issued the report while preparing in Australia for the NFL’s first regular-season game on the continent. Kittle’s absence from the list ended weeks of uncertainty about his status.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will handle Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa carefully as both return from major injuries.
“We got to be smart with that,” Shanahan said. “They both look great and stuff, but we also definitely have to be smart with that.”
Kittle, 32, has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends since the 49ers drafted him in the fifth round in 2017. He has 595 career receptions for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 games.
Quarterback Brock Purdy called the recovery remarkable after watching Kittle work through rehabilitation during organized team activities, training camp and sessions in Tennessee.
“He did everything he could to get back for Week 1,” Purdy said. “That’s a credit to him. That’s actually remarkable to be able to have that kind of injury and do what he did to get back.”
Kittle told reporters his body has responded well to the demanding rehab program.
“Body feels really good. It’s bounced back really good. I’d say I’ve really taken a step back towards playing,” Kittle said.
The game is scheduled for 8:35 p.m. Eastern on Thursday at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which will be Friday morning local time.
Shanahan indicated both Kittle and Bosa are likely to play on a snap count rather than their usual full workloads so the team can avoid early-season setbacks.
Kittle came off the physically unable to perform list in late August and has taken limited practice reps this week in Australia. His availability would give the 49ers a proven receiver and blocker against a Rams squad that also finished 12-5 last season and reached the playoffs.
Kittle earned two first-team All-Pro honors during his career and posted 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games last season before the injury.
Teammates and coaches have pointed to his daily focus in the weight room and on the practice field as the reason he reached this point so soon.
The 49ers hope the managed approach lets Kittle contribute immediately while protecting him for the long season ahead.
