The San Francisco 49ers had no business going into SoFI Stadium on a short week and upending the Los Angeles Rams in prime time.
After all, the shorthanded Niners have been ravaged by injuries, including being without star quarterback Brock Purdy, defensive end Nick Bosa and All-Pro tight end George Kittle.
Somehow, though, San Francisco pulled off the thrilling 26-23 overtime victory in Southern California, securing a third win over an NFC West squad already on the young season while improving to a division-leading 4-1 record after five weeks.
And the news keeps getting better.
Kittle, whose hamstring injury in the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks ultimately resulted in a trip to injured reserve, is apparently close to returning to action, at least according to a pre-Thursday Night Football report from NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:
From The @NFLonPrime TNF pregame show: When will all the #49ers injured players return? For some, pretty quickly. pic.twitter.com/3xpv66BaMw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 2, 2025
"My understanding is he’s had no setbacks," Rapoport reported of Kittle's status. "He is doing great. There’s a real chance he is back next week."
With the 49ers set to enjoy a "mini" bye after playing Thursday night before their Week 6 road contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the six-time Pro Bowler will still have plenty of time to ensure he gets to 100 percent.
George Kittle injury update is welcomed news for shorthanded 49ers
It's almost inconceivable to think how the Niners managed a 4-1 record thus far despite a hefty chunk of their roster dealing with significant injuries.
That one loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4 might have swung the other way had Kittle been in the mix, yet few would complain about San Francisco's record if they knew just how bad injuries would be for head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad.
In the interim, the seldom-discussed backup tight end, Jake Tonges, has quietly emerged as a quality fill-in, not only recording the 49ers' opening touchdown against Los Angeles but also hauling in what proved to be the game-winning score over the Hawks way back in Week 1.
Kittle's return certainly will diminish Tonges' role, but it does illustrate the importance of depth.
Somehow, and despite Kittle's absence to date, the Niners have made the most out of that depth.
Although they'll happily welcome the All-Pro back into the fray, perhaps as soon as Week 6 against the Bucs.