Tight end George Kittle couldn't finish the San Francisco 49ers' first matchup with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. He took a blow to the leg from Cardinals defensive end Chandler Jones' helmet, toughed through most of the game, but was finally sidelined at the end.
Kittle did not play during Monday night's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and his status for Sunday's rematch against the Cardinals is uncertain due to knee and ankle injuries.
Kliff Kingsbury isn't counting the Pro Bowl tight end out. The Cardinals head coach jumped on a conference call with reporters on Wednesday and was asked by Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area if he expects to see Kittle at his best this weekend.
"No doubt," Kingsbury responded. "I thought it was amazing that he was able to stay in our game and push through, and have such a great night.
"He's one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the league. Just kind of a physical freak, and that's matched by his personality, his relentlessness, his want to. It's through the roof, and, as a competitor, you appreciate that, and I'm sure he'll be ready to go on Sunday."
Kittle finished the Week 9 matchup with six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Tuesday that he is hopeful Kittle can suit up on Sunday, but nothing is certain at this point.
"Kittle has a much bigger injury, but Kittle's just a little bit of a different bird," Shanahan said when comparing the tight end's status to that of kicker Robbie Gould. "We're never going to decide on Kittle too early in the week. He's always got a chance with some of the stuff he's been able to go through here in these last couple of years."