George Kittle Updates Injury Status, Return Timeline for 49ers Amid Achilles Tear Rehab

George Kittle isn't ruling out a return from his Achilles tear by the time the San Francisco 49ers open the 2026 season against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on Sept. 10.

He said Wednesday there is "a chance" he could be back by the first game since everything has been on track to this point in his recovery process, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. The tight end also said the running on the side he did Wednesday was the most he's done as he rehabs the injury.

Returning by Week 1 would be particularly notable, as Kittle suffered the injury on Jan. 11 during San Francisco's playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Yet even in the immediate aftermath of the injury, he was optimistic he would make a quick return.

"Asked if there was a timeline for his return, Kittle initially said he'd 'keep it as a surprise,' but he later scoffed when asked by a reporter whether his return would be around midseason and said it could happen 'well before November,'" Wagoner reported in January.

Having him available for a season opener against a division rival that figures to be on the short list of Super Bowl contenders would be quite a boost for San Francisco.

After all, he is one of the best tight ends in the league with a resume that includes two First-Team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowl nods. He has four seasons of more than 1,000 receiving yards, including back-to-back efforts in 2023 and 2024, and finished last season with 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.

Kittle put up those numbers in 2025 despite being limited to 11 games.

San Francisco's offense will have no shortage of firepower in 2026 if everyone is healthy with Mike Evans and Christian Kirk joining a group of playmakers that includes Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Ricky Pearsall.

If they are all available, opposing defenses will have to pick their poison with coverages, which could leave plenty of space for Kittle to exploit down the middle as a safety valve for Brock Purdy.

If everything continues to remain on track, fans may see that on display as soon as Week 1.