After going 12-5 last season despite a large rash of injuries to key players, the San Francisco 49ers have done fairly well in free agency this month. They signed veteran wide receiver Mike Evans, a six-time Pro Bowler, and wideout Christian Kirk, as well as linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who departed San Francisco a year ago to join the Denver Broncos. They also traded for Osa Odighizuwa, a productive defensive lineman.
But the Niners’ success this fall will still largely hinge on their familiar core. That core includes star tight end George Kittle, who tore his Achilles during their wild-card playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
There is some considerable doubt that he will be able to return early enough in the upcoming season. But during an appearance on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast, he said that his rehab is going well and that he’s no longer wearing a walking boot (h/t 49ers Webzone).
Read more: 49ers Connected to 24-Sack Pass Rusher to Support Nick Bosa
“It’s coming along,” Kittle said. “The rehab is going great.”
He added, “My trajectory is fantastic. I think I get off of crutches in like a week or two.”
He also gave an interesting nugget — that the injury was a high Achilles tear, which he believes could speed up his recovery period and help him return to action sooner.
Although it’s now water under the bridge, Kittle also made an admission that an injury he sustained near the end of the regular season could’ve led to him tearing his Achilles during the playoff matchup versus the Eagles.
“My biggest thing that I thought it was, when I played the [Indianapolis] Colts on Monday Night Football (in Week 16), I tore like two ligaments in my ankle,” Kittle explained. “And then, I hurt it again because I kept playing on it. And so, then, I was very lopsided—or I was compensating really bad.
“So, I think it was a I think that was a big part of it, too. I was compensating for the last three weeks on one ankle, so all the weight was on my right side, and [when] I was basically running, everything was on my right side. Then, plus, it was a weird position.”
Read more: Former Cowboys Star Catches Attention With Big Giants Prediction
If the Niners are going to return to Super Bowl contention, they will need Kittle to return to something that at least resembles his old form. In 2025, he appeared in 11 games and totaled 57 catches, 628 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl for the fifth straight year and seventh overall time, but his 11 yards per reception were a career low.
They will start their 2026 schedule with a marquee matchup against their NFC West rival Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10. That game will be played in Australia, as the NFL continues to try to spread the sport outside of the United States.
For more on the 49ers and general NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
