The San Francisco 49ers are closing in on their eleventh win of the season. They hold a two-touchdown lead over the Indianapolis Colts late in the third quarter.
The 49ers will be happy with their offensive production, especially now that their offense is healthy. But now, the injury bug has bitten them once again, with George Kittle suffering an apparent ankle injury.
What Happened to George Kittle?
Kittle suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter. He didn’t go into the medical tent, but was pacing up and down the sideline. He is questionable to return to the game.
Kittle already had his best game of the season before tweaking his ankle. It didn’t look too bad in real time, but it’s difficult to know how it will feel throughout the week.
Status alert: George Kittle (ankle) questionable to return Monday.
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) December 23, 2025
There are plenty of fantasy managers out there who advanced to the championship because of Kittle’s Monday night heroics. If you have to run the final without him, there is no replacement for what Kittle can do.
When Kittle was out earlier in the year, Jake Tonges was actually a viable option. Obviously not Kittle, he was a worthwhile TE2. However, he hasn’t caught a pass since Week 8. Simply put, Kittle needs to play. Otherwise, you will have to find an alternative elsewhere.
Kittle has been dominant against the Colts’ defense in Week 16. He had seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game. The 49ers offense is picking apart the Indianapolis defense behind Brock Purdy’s elite play.
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Kittle looked like he was going to return in the fourth quarter, but he didn’t. The 49ers have been through the wringer with injuries, and the timing of the injury couldn’t be any worse if he is injured beyond this week.
Kittle is the 5th-ranked tight end in PFSN’s TE Impact metric with an impact score of 86.0. He has been a reliable weapon throughout his entire career and has been pivotal when the wide receivers were out for extended periods.
The 49ers have a chance to win the division if they win out. It won’t be easy with the Bears and Seahawks left, but first they’ll have to hold on against a desperate Colts squad that is playing for its playoff lives.
The 49ers can make their playoff road much easier if they continue to win, potentially securing the No. 1 seed in the NFC or earning the top Wild Card seed to face the weakest playoff opponent, the NFC South champion.
Editor’s Note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated throughout the day as more information becomes available.
