Note: Article originally mistakenly included Malcolm Smith instead of Eli Harold. It has been updated.
The San Francisco 49ers received some good news Friday. The injuries sustained on Thursday night by tight end George Kittle and linebacker Eli Harold are not believed to be serious, per reports by NBC Sports Bay Area.
The early word on #49ers TE George Kittle, via source, is his right shoulder injury is not too serious. Most likely a sprain that could keep him out a couple of weeks.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 10, 2018
Very encouraging report on #49ers LB Eli Harold, who left last night's game with a knee injury. A source just said it's not serious — just a bruise.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 10, 2018
Good news for the #49ers on TE George Kittle: No tears or structural damage on his separated shoulder after tests. Not serious.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 10, 2018
Kittle left Thursday's game during the 49ers' first offensive drive while Smith left early in the first quarter. Neither returned to the game. The 49ers went on to win the exhibition opener 24-21.
The 49ers made Kittle, a candidate for the team's breakout player this season, a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. He registered 43 receptions for 515 yards last season, both of which set franchise records for a rookie tight end. Kittle had 42-or-more receiving yards in each of his final three games, including a season-high 100 yards receiving on four catches during 34-13 Week 17 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
Kittle's impressive rookie numbers came despite an injury-riddled season. He had to deal with hamstring, calf, hip, chest, back, elbow, and ankle injuries last year.
"I definitely wasn't feeling as good as I do now than I did last year," Kittle said in June. "Feeling really good now, so I'm just really looking forward to being on the field healthy."
Harold registered a tackle against the Cowboys on Thursday night.
The linebacker is one of just 13 players who were on the 49ers roster in 2016. San Francisco made Harold a third-round draft pick in 2015. In three seasons with the 49ers, he has recorded 85 combined tackles with five sacks and a forced fumble. Each of his sacks have come in the past two seasons.
