The San Francisco 49ers are off to a 4-2 start, but head coach Kyle Shanahan’s group has dropped two of its last three and is extremely banged up.
Despite leading the sport in passing yards, the 49ers rank 13th in passing EPA/play per SumerSports. Being without TE George Kittle is a major reason for that inconsistency.
Kittle missed Weeks 2-6 with a hamstring injury, leaving San Fran shorthanded. Might that change soon?
What’s the latest on Kittle’s injury? Will he be back in time for Week 7? We’ll dive into that and more as Sunday approaches.
George Kittle Injury Update: Is Kittle Playing in Week 7?
The good news is Kittle has made tangible progress. The six-time Pro Bowler is having his 21-day practice window opened this week, marking a massive step in his hamstring recovery.
From there, the 49ers have three weeks to determine whether their star TE is ready to be activated back to the roster. Shanahan appears to be optimistic about Kittle's impending return.
Considering Kittle’s extensive history of hamstring, groin, knee, and foot injuries, the Niners could bring him along slowly.
Kittle Fantasy Outlook & 49ers Injury Updates
Should Kittle indeed play in Week 7, the 49ers would be well-insulated. They may need it — their opponent, the Atlanta Falcons, have yielded the fewest fantasy points to TEs.
Sliding TE Jake Tonges back to his second-string role adds depth and insurance to the passing game. He filled in admirably in Kittle’s absence, recording 25 catches for 244 yards and 3 TDs from Weeks 1-6.
In the last four games, Tonges produced as TE10 overall from a fantasy perspective, via FantasyPros. Given Kittle’s 4 catches for 25 yards and a TD in just two drives earlier this season, perhaps a Week 7 decline may not take place.
Elsewhere, Shanahan says QB Brock Purdy (toe) and WR Ricky Pearsall (knee) will be evaluated on Wednesday and be day-to-day thereafter. Backups Mac Jones (3-1 record) and Kendrick Bourne (284 yards in Weeks 5 and 6) have stepped up in relief.
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