George Kittle, the All-Pro and San Francisco 49ers’ tight end, did not make it out of the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs unscathed. Here are the latest updates on Kittle’s health and status moving forward as we head into Week 8.
What Happened to George Kittle?
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke on Monday and revealed a litany of 49ers injury news. Among the updates was a previously unknown injury to George Kittle, who sprained his foot against the Chiefs.
More 49ers woes:
🏈49ers WR Deebo Samuel has been hospitalized due to pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. There is no timeline for his return.
🏈TE George Kittle has a sprained foot and is considered day to day. pic.twitter.com/10HVcDDaXl— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter)
There was no sign of injury during the game, as Kittle continued to play into garbage time. Kittle ended up playing 91% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps in the game.
How Long Will Kittle Be Sidelined?
The good news is that the injury is being labeled day-to-day, so Kittle should have a reasonable chance to play Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
The bad news is Kittle was listed as one of several 49ers players to sit out of practice on Wednesday, according to Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group.
49ers updates from KS
Not practicing today
WR Deebo Samuel (wrist ill)
TE George Kittle (foot)
WR Jauan Jennings (hip)
K Jake Moody (ankle)
DT Kevin Givens (groin)
S George Odum (knee)
Limited
RB Jordan Mason (ankle)
DE Nick Bosa (elbow)
WR Chris Conley (ankle)— Cam Inman (@CamInman)
Kittle isn’t easily sidelined. He showed no indication of the foot injury during last week’s game. Earlier in the season, he missed the Niners’ Week 3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams with a hamstring injury but returned after just one week.
Each injury should be viewed in isolation. However, in the context of the 49ers’ cataclysmic injury landscape with their skill-position players, it wouldn’t be a shock if Kittle pushes himself to play on Sunday.
#49ers' offensive skill players:
RB Christian McCaffrey — OUT
WR Brandon Aiyuk — OUT for season
WR Deebo Samuel — Pneumonia, in hospital
TE George Kittle — Foot Sprain, day-to-day
WR Jaun Jennings — hip, should return this week (?)— Akash Anavarathan (@akashanav)
Fantasy Outlook for 49ers Pass Catchers
With Brandon Aiyuk removed from the equation and Deebo Samuel Sr.’s short-term status in doubt as he deals with pneumonia, Kittle could receive as large a target share as any tight end against the Cowboys if he can play.
Kittle is already one of the most heavily targeted tight ends this season. His 24.4% target rate is the sixth highest of any tight end, and his five touchdowns are the most of any player at the position. In fact, it’s more than the rest of the 49ers combined (four receiving touchdowns).
If Kittle and Samuel both can’t go this week, Brock Purdy’s top pass-catching option would be Jauan Jennings — if he himself can return after missing Sunday’s game with a hip injury. Shanahan was more optimistic about Jennings potentially returning for the Cowboys game, but we’ll need to see some practice participation after he missed all three practices last week.
Jennings had a massive game in Week 3 with Kittle and Samuel sidelined, posting 11 catches, 175 yards, and three receiving touchdowns. However, he had just seven catches for 128 yards and no touchdowns in his next three games before his hip injury.
That may have resulted in Jennings getting dropped to waivers in your fantasy football league. If that’s the case, he’s certainly worth an addition this week. With Aiyuk out for the season, Jennings should have an every-down role and provide a higher floor of targets.
Jordan Mason could conceivably be the biggest fantasy winner from this injury mess. Mason showed no ill effects from his Week 6 shoulder injury, taking 14 of the 16 running back carries against the Chiefs. The Cowboys are a juicy matchup for running backs. Dallas ranks 30th in run-defense success rate and 31st in PPR points per game allowed to running backs.
