The San Francisco 49ers may be headed for Sunday Night Football without one of their biggest matchup weapons.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported early on December 28 that 49ers tight end George Kittle, officially listed as questionable with a sprained ankle after not practicing last week, is “highly unlikely” to play tonight against the Chicago Bears, per a source.
That matters immediately because official inactives aren’t due until 90 minutes before kickoff, meaning the true final word won’t arrive until close to game time for a 8:20 p.m. ET.
Schefter’s Report Adds Major Doubt to Kittle’s “Questionable” Tag
Kittle’s designation on the injury report left the door cracked, but Schefter’s wording is about as grim as it gets without an “out” label.
Kittle didn’t practice all week while dealing with the ankle issue, and the team still listed him as questionable rather than ruling him out Friday, an important technicality, because “questionable” simply indicates uncertainty about whether a player will participate.
If San Francisco does sit Kittle, it would come in a prime-time spot with major NFC positioning at stake. Both teams are at 11-4, and it’s a standalone Sunday night stage at Levi’s Stadium.
What It Means for San Francisco vs. Chicago
Kittle isn’t just a safety valve; he’s often the piece that forces defenses to declare coverage and gives the 49ers their most punishing middle-of-the-field answers. Kittle has been one of San Francisco’s most reliable red-zone finishers when he’s been able to suit up, totaling 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games this season. He was named the Pro Bowl earlier this week. If he’s inactive again Sunday night, it would mark his seventh missed game so far.
The seven-time Pro Bowler is also a multiple-time All-Pro, underscoring how massive the absence would be for the 49ers’ offense.
Chicago’s own team preview noted the Bears have won seven of their last eight, while the 49ers have won five straight and have been rolling offensively.
Now the chessboard changes. Without Kittle, the Bears can play more “normal” answers to San Francisco’s formations, less panic about seam routes, crossers, and the run game marrying up with play-action off the same looks.
And for the 49ers, the issue isn’t just targets; it’s the entire structure of how they stress a defense.
Who Could Pick Up the Slack If Kittle Sits
San Francisco has already made a move that points to contingency planning.
Ahead of the matchup, the 49ers elevated tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad, with reporting that the team could lean on a committee approach if Kittle can’t go.
On the depth chart, Kittle is listed atop a group that includes Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges behind him.
That likely means a “by-committee” night: more snaps spread across the tight end room, plus heavier reliance on other personnel packages to replicate Kittle’s blocking and route impact.
What to Watch in the Final Hours Before Kickoff
Here’s what matters most the rest of the day:
- Pregame movement: Whether Kittle can test the ankle with any real burst/anchor.
- The inactive list: Officially released 90 minutes before kickoff.
- Any late roster breadcrumbs: Practice-squad elevations often tell you how seriously a team is preparing for an absence.
If Schefter’s report holds, the 49ers’ Sunday night plan becomes simple—but brutal: win a playoff-level game against an NFC heavyweight without one of the league’s most difficult tight ends to replace.
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