H
e’s finally back. Suffering a hamstring injury in week one, the San Francisco 49ers were forced to place star tight end George Kittle on the injured reserve, keeping him out a minimum of four games. And while the 49ers managed to stay afloat in Kittle’s absence, starting off the new season with a 4-2 record, his return is highly anticipated.
And now, after missing five games, the 49ers are in line to get their star player back for their week seven tilt against the Atlanta Falcons. On Thursday, Oct. 16, Kittle made his intentions clear– he fully plans on returning to action in week seven on Sunday Night Football.
Kittle’s Return
The 49ers just opened up Kittle’s 21-day practice window this week, but Kittle wasted no time in squashing any doubts about his availability for this weekend. Speaking to the media on the Thursday leading up to the game, Kittle said he plans on playing but did acknowledge that the final decision lies with the coaching staff.
“I fully plan on playing on Sunday,” Kittle said. “As long as [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] lets me. It’s up to him. But hopefully I’m out there. Which I think I will be.”
Kittle only played a quarter of the 49ers’ opening game against the Seattle Seahawks before leaving the game with his hamstring injury early in the second quarter. Since going down, the 49ers have relied on Kittle’s backup, Jake Tonges, who has enjoyed a breakout season of his own. Through six games, Tonges has 25 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns, all career highs.
The Full Extent of Kittle’s Injury
Kittle may have only missed five games, but given the full nature of his injury, it is miraculous that he is back so soon. Kittle knew that something was wrong immediately after getting hurt but as it turned out, he was actually dealing with a full tear of the hamstring.
“I just felt like a rubber band snapped in my hamstring,” Kittle said. “I was like, ‘Ah, I’ve just got to go to the locker room after that one.’”
Kittle did get lucky in the sense that it did not tear completely off the bone. If that was the case, he would have been looking at a three to six month recovery instead of the five weeks it took. During the time he spent away from the field, Kittle was patiently waiting for his return, exercising caution so that he did not come back too soon. But the five games that he has missed the season are the second most amount of games that he has missed in a season, trailing only the 2020 season when he missed eight games.
Now back and ready to go, Kittle is very excited that he will be able to suit up and play in a football game again.
“I have been so very excited to play football since last season ended, and being only able to play 20-something snaps has been very difficult for me,” Kittle said. “I’ve been trying my best to get back as fast as I can without being an idiot and rushing it.”
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