The San Francisco 49ers are off to a 2-0 start to the 2025 season, but their overall health is a growing concern. The team is banged up and will be without several key players in their Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, including superstar tight end George Kittle. Here’s the latest on Kittle’s status and when he could return.
George Kittle Injury Update: Latest on the Superstar Tight End’s Status
In the 49ers’ Week 1 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, George went down with a hamstring injury and was ruled out for the rest of the game. Shortly after, it was revealed the veteran tight end had suffered a strain, and the team placed him on the Injured Reserve (IR) list.
Players placed on IR must miss a minimum of four games. Kittle has already missed San Francisco’s matchup with the New Orleans Saints, meaning he will be sidelined for at least three more weeks.
49ers placing TE George Kittle (hamstring) on IR. (via @tompelissero) pic.twitter.com/hIAhkjTSIk
— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2025
That rules him out for this weekend’s game against the Arizona Cardinals on September 20, the Week 4 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 28, and the Week 5 Thursday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams on October 2, 2025.
Kittle could return as early as October 12, 2025, in the 49ers’ Week 6 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, depending on his recovery, he could be sidelined longer.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on September 9, 2025, that Kittle could miss anywhere from three to five weeks, meaning there’s still a chance he won’t be back in time for the Buccaneers matchup.
Few players love the game of football more than Kittle, so 49ers fans can hold out hope their superstar tight end will return as soon as humanly possible.
The 49ers offense managed to stay afloat in Week 2 without him, as tight ends Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell combined for six catches, 46 yards, and a touchdown in San Francisco’s win over the Saints.
George cashes in at The Bank! @gkittle46
📺 #SFvsJAX on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/3oOw8Riyum
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 12, 2023
Kittle has been a cornerstone for the 49ers since being drafted in the 5th round as the 148th pick out of Iowa in 2017. Entering the 2025 season, he had tallied 542 catches for 7,405 yards and 46 touchdowns, consistently proving himself as one of the team’s most reliable weapons.
Beyond his receiving numbers, Kittle is also an elite run blocker, making him the complete package at tight end and nearly irreplaceable in San Francisco’s offense. The 49ers will continue to rely on Tonges and Farrell in his absence, but in order to have success this season, the team will need Kittle to return as soon as possible.
