Add The California Post on Google The possibility of George Kittle playing in the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams is still up in the air. But based on recent moves, the stars are aligning towards a potential return.
With the team’s decision to waive tight end Bradyen Willis and put him on the practice squad, it leaves an open spot for Kittle to land in.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy spoke about his 9-year veteran tight end following Tuesday’s practice in Australia and called all the hard work he’s done “awesome,” and said for him as a quarterback it feels “really good” to have him back out there.
“Obviously George is very electric with his personality and all that, with what he brings to the team,” Purdy said to reporters. “Just seeing him back on the field, running around, and how explosive he is as a tight end, it’s like, ‘Alright, it feels really good to have him back.”
The 7-time Pro Bowler has spent his offseason nursing his way back from a ruptured Achilles injury he suffered in the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card last season, when he received his first catch of the game in the second quarter, but would immediately go down.
Kittle went into the 49ers locker room to have himself looked at, and would never return to the game.
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Generally, the return timeframe from an Achilles injury is a 9-12 month period. Kittle has been expected to return by eight.
When he was with the 49ers over the offseason, he was seen working out in the team’s facility during OTAs and training camp. He was also spotted posting videos of him working out from his home in Tennessee, showing his recovery at a rapid pace.
“He did everything he could to get back for Week 1,” Purdy said. “That’s a credit to him. That’s actually remarkable to be able to have that kind of injury and do what he did to get back.”
As of now, it appears it’ll come down to the wire on if Kittle will be playing against the Rams, when the two teams are scheduled to take the field at 10:35 AM on Friday in Australia.
