George Kittle

George Kittle had a battered and bruised 2025 season with a hamstring injury that cost him seven games, then an ankle injury, and finally an Achilles tear in the postseason. We'll have to see when Kittle is back on the field for the 49ers in 2026 and looking like his usual tackle-breaking self. I'm hopeful that Kittle makes a wonderful recovery and beats the timelines, but I also won't be shocked if San Francisco holds him back by starting him out on the PUP to begin the season and eases him in after that. When Kittle was on the field last year, he didn't show any signs of slowing down. Among 54 qualifying tight ends, he ranked fourth in target share (20%) and yards per route run (2.30), third in receiving yards per game (57.1) and first-read share (24.3%), and second in first downs per route run (0.139, per Fantasy Points Data). Kittle is a nice upside swing at tight end this year. He could be a player that puts fantasy teams over the top down the stretch if he can regain his usual form. If you're drafting Kittle, I'd pair him with another late tight end like Dallas Goedert or Isaiah Likely that could return strong TE1 production at least to open the 2026 season until Kittle is ready to rock.

The 49ers are confident TE George Kittle will be ready for Week 1 against the Rams.

Fantasy Impact

Kittle suffered an Achilles tear during last year's postseason, leaving uncertainty about his status entering 2026. However, he appears to be making excellent progress in his recovery, leading San Francisco to believe he will suit up for Week 1. Kittle has been drafted as a low-end TE1 throughout the summer, but could see a rise in ADP with this news.