San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) watches pre-game festivities prior to a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Levi's Stadium.
David Gonzales-Imagn Images
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has brushed aside speculation that his recovery from an Achilles injury has suffered a setback ahead of the team's 2026 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
The rumors stemmed from comments made by head coach Kyle Shanahan after San Francisco's preseason finale, an 18-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday. Shanahan used the phrase “taken a step back” while discussing the team's evaluation of injured players before the roster cut-down deadline. The wording quickly led to questions about whether Kittle's rehabilitation had encountered a problem.
Kittle appeared to find the speculation amusing. On Sunday morning, he responded on X (formerly Twitter) by writing, “The things I wake up to,” accompanied with a laughing emoji.
He quoted a post featuring a Brad Pitt clip from the 2011 film Moneyball that says, “What the f**k are you talking about?”
The available update on Kittle's recovery has been more encouraging. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the 10-year veteran has not experienced any major setbacks and has a legitimate opportunity to play in Week 1. Schefter added that Kittle could begin practicing this week if he is targeting the opener in Australia.
The 49ers removed Kittle from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on August 23. Since then, he has participated in individual drills on Sunday and Tuesday but has not yet practiced with the team.
Kittle sustained the Achilles tear in January, making his recovery one of the major storylines surrounding San Francisco. Last season, the seven-time Pro Bowler finished with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. He also received an 82.6 Impact Score from PFN, ranking second behind Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride's 92.4.
The 49ers are scheduled to face the Rams on Friday, September 10, at 8:35 p.m. EST at Melbourne Cricket Ground in East Melbourne.