Apparently, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told Arizona Cardinals reporters today that George Kittle will not play over the weekend. The Pro Bowl tight end is dealing with knee and ankle injuries sustained during the two teams' last meeting on Halloween night.
Update: A 49ers spokesman clarified that Shanahan misspoke and has not yet determined Kittle's status for Sunday. The head coach meant to say the team is planning as if the tight end will not be available.
Per a #49ers spokesman, Kyle Shanahan clarified his Kittle comment, saying the 49ers have NOT ruled the tight end out for Sunday. Shanahan wanted to say that the team has to *plan* as if he won't play. Suffice to say, Kittle is unlikely to go against the Cardinals. https://t.co/bYRIMP13TN
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 14, 2019
That was a bit of a confusing mess for 49ers reporters to end the day. Below is the rest of the original report.
The report comes from Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official website. He tweeted out the following.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said TE George Kittle will not play Sunday against the Cardinals. Kittle did a lot of damage against the Cards in the first matchup.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) November 14, 2019
When asked if this was via the conference call Shanahan had with Arizona reporters today, and Urban told us the following.
Correct.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) November 14, 2019
Head coaches always speak with reporters who cover their next opponent during the week leading up to a game. Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury spoke with Bay Area reporters earlier today.
Kittle did not practice today and Shanahan did not directly say that his tight end would not play on Sunday while speaking with reporters just after 4:00 p.m. PT. In fact, on Tuesday, he indicated that a decision on Kittle's status would not be made until later in the week.
Kittle hauled in six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals during Week 9.
"He's one of the best, if not the best, tight ends in the league," Kingsbury said via his conference call this morning. "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."