San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle.
Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is on track to play in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia after spending the offseason recovering from a torn right Achilles. A return in the opener would put Kittle back on the field roughly eight months after suffering the injury in January.
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday and reported that offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak told reporters Kittle was “looking good,” providing the strongest public indication yet that the star tight end could suit up in Melbourne.
“Nick Bosa ready to go while #49ers OC Klay Kubiak tells reporters George Kittle is looking good as well. Two key players on track to play on Thursday. Or Friday. Whatever.”
Kittle participated in the 49ers’ first Melbourne practice Monday, including individual work, as San Francisco prepared for Thursday night’s opener at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The seven-time Pro Bowler tore his right Achilles on January 11 during San Francisco’s 23-19 wild-card win on the road vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. He underwent surgery three days later, and the 49ers activated him from the active/PUP list on August 23 before the trip to Australia.
A Week 1 appearance would put the veteran tight end back on the field roughly eight months after the injury. Kubiak’s update, however, does not represent an official injury designation or guarantee Kittle will handle his usual workload.
The same update also brought encouraging news regarding pass rusher Nick Bosa. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris said Bosa will play despite managing patellar tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee. Bosa did not participate in the open team portion of Monday’s practice.
The 49ers face the Rams Thursday night in Melbourne, with Kittle on track to play pending the official injury report and inactive list.