George Kittle owners, it’s time to dust off those fantasy football rosters and prepare for a potential game-changer’s return. The San Francisco 49ers’ elite tight end has been sidelined since Week 1 with an issue that has kept him on injured reserve, but whispers from the Bay Area suggest his comeback is imminent.
Fantasy football managers who’ve been patiently holding onto this premium asset through the early weeks may finally see their patience rewarded, as Kittle’s return could provide the spark needed to elevate championship aspirations in the second half of the season. But will it be this week?
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is eligible to return from the injured reserve in Week 6, but head coach Kyle Shanahan stated after Week 5’s win against the Rams that Kittle was considered a “long shot” to return in Week 6.
Still, the team expects Kittle to return in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons. In his explosive Week 1 showing, Kittle caught all four of his targets for 25 yards and a go-ahead touchdown. In his absence, backup Jake Tonges has looked solid, with 19 catches for 166 yards and three scores.
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Dan Fornek
Kittle Fantasy Outlook
Kittle was doing Kittle things until he decided to do less fun Kittle things in the Week 1 win over the Seahawks. Early on, he caught all four of his targets and scored on an extension play to the pylon, where he flexed his athleticism and awareness. When he’s right, he’s as good as it gets at the position.
The problem is that we almost always have to navigate injuries, and that is already the case in 2024. Kittle has played the full slate of games just once in his eight-year career and is now nursing a hamstring injury that landed him on IR ahead of Week 2, ruling him out through Week 5 at the very least.
READ MORE: Soppe’s Week 6 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em: Analysis for Every Player in Every Game
What causes Kittle to miss time is the same mindset that makes him an elite option when active. He can return this week, but a Week 7 (ahead of the Week 8 National Tight End Day that gives him life) activation seems to be most likely based on reporting out of San Francisco.
We are getting close. Stay the course and be patient: this is a game-changer at the highest of levels for the second half of your fantasy season (and, hopefully, the playoffs).
— PFSN Fantasy Football Analyst Kyle Soppe
