San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle expects to be activated from the physically unable to perform list before Week 1 and remains hopeful he can play against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 11 in Australia, following his recovery from a January 2026 Achilles tear.
San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is inching closer to an active roster return after suffering a torn right Achilles during a Wild Card playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11, 2026. The 33-year-old veteran spent the offseason managing his rehabilitation while on the physically unable to perform list, working out on the side during team practices as he targets a Week 1 appearance.
Kittle told reporters that he expects to come off the PUP list before NFL rosters are cut down to 53 players on August 30, a move that prevents him from missing the first four games of the regular season. The 49ers are scheduled to depart for Australia on September 2, and Kittle noted that he would not make the long-haul flight unless the team plans to play him in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams.
Achilles Rehabilitation and the Road to Week 1
Reflecting on the grueling months following his surgery, Kittle characterized the recovery process as the most boring rehab in the entire world. However, early encouragement from his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, helped change his outlook by indicating that a Week 1 return was feasible, which Kittle said helped light a fire for him.
“I have a chance,” Kittle said Sunday. “We’re running around a lot, hitting top speeds. Hopefully we’re back in pads practicing sooner than later. Just trying to check the boxes and not be (dumb) is what I would say.”
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers tight end
While Kittle has not yet been cleared for full-contact practice, team trainers and coaching staff are closely monitoring his progress. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak praised the tight end’s resilient approach to the rehab process, highlighting the energy he brings to the facility.
“That’s how he lives his life,” offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak said. “That’s how he goes by his every day, and you got to appreciate that about him. To me, that’s what’s going to make him get back from his injury and be himself again is because he has the right mindset. He attacks every day with positivity, that he’s progressing and he’s healing. Just seeing him out there just with the trainers working out, he looks great, and I’m excited to see kind of how he progresses over these next few weeks and where we’re at.”
Klay Kubiak, San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator
Weighing Risk Against an Eighteen-Week Season
Despite his eagerness to take the field for the season opener, Kittle acknowledged the importance of exercising caution to prevent any setbacks during a long campaign. The two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards receiving and seven touchdowns last season while struggling through hamstring injuries before his Achilles tear in the Wild Card round vs. the Philadelphia Eagles.
Photo: chron.com
“I want to play in every football game that I possibly can play in,” he said. “But I’m also aware it’s an 18-week season and so hey if you miss Week 1 and you’re playing Week 2, it is what it is. I’m just going keep that as my goal and then we’ll adjust from there if we need to. But I still believe that, my team still believes that, my surgeon still believes I have a chance, so just keep attacking it.”
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Medical staff will ultimately make the final determination regarding his game-day readiness. Kittle would be on track to return after roughly nine months from his injury, although at 33 years old, the 49ers might think of protecting him for a bit longer. With the 49ers managing a wave of training camp injuries and issues with at least 19 players through training camp—including running back Christian McCaffrey remaining out of practice with what the team has described as “tightness” and quarterback Kurtis Rourke remaining out after hurting his ribs in the exhibition opener—the team faces various roster weaknesses they might need to overcome.
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Daniel Richardson is the Editor-in-Chief of Archysport, where he leads the editorial team and oversees all published content across nine sport verticals. With over 15 years in sports journalism, Daniel has reported from the FIFA World Cup, the Olympic Games, NFL Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tennis tournaments. He previously served as Senior Sports Editor at Reuters and holds a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. Recognized by the Sports Journalists' Association for excellence in reporting, Daniel is a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS). His editorial philosophy centers on accuracy, depth, and fair coverage — ensuring every story published on Archysport meets the highest standards of sports journalism.
