On Tuesday, the San Francisco 49ers officially announced that they’re putting tight end George Kittle on injured reserve. He leaves on a frustrating note, having injured his hamstring during the first half of Sunday’s game with the Seattle Seahawks. Kittle’s injury occurred with 10:06 remaining in the second quarter when he left the field after making four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Kittle’s absence will be felt significantly as the team prepares for upcoming games against the New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Los Angeles Rams. He is likely to be out a minimum of four weeks. This time frame is the same amount of time a player has to remain on injured reserve. Kittle might return as soon as next week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 12. This new timeline affords him some added time to heal, including following the Thursday night game against the Rams.
Kittle limped gingerly across the field and back to the 49ers’ sideline as he left the game. Then, almost immediately after, he was ruled out of the game. Prior to his injury, he proved just how indispensable he is to this team. His touchdown reception was an important part of the Eagles’ first win over the Seattle Seahawks, clinching a critical victory.
Following Kittle’s injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan opened up about what to expect, the 49ers adjusted plans going forward. Long said that there are options, such as sticking with the current roster or inviting other players to workouts.
“There’s options, just whether it’s stay the status quo, bringing in guys for workouts, practice squad, but we’re going through all that stuff right now,” – Kyle Shanahan
Faced with a Kittle-less situation, expect the Niners to sprinkle some variety in their tight-end room. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk has been a frequent participant in tight end meetings during training camp and the preseason. With Kittle out, he should see more playing time and opportunities. As of now, the team has Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges on the roster as tight end options. Brayden Willis from the practice squad could be elevated to give more depth.
Kittle hasn’t been the only player who’s faced a myriad of injuries this season. Wide receiver Jauan Jennings is dealing with a left shoulder injury as well. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted today that Jennings’ shoulder scans came up clean. This further distinguishes his plight from Kittle’s.
Shanahan acknowledged that injuries are an inherent part of football, stating, “When they tell me a few weeks, it’s always a possibility.” This latest flip on that angle reinforces just how uncertain player health is, and how sudden changes can create a ripple effect through a team.
As the 49ers navigate this setback, they will rely on their depth and adaptability to maintain their competitive edge in the upcoming contests. The coaching staff now has to re-strategize for this new reality while crossing their fingers for a speedy recovery for the promising Kittle.
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