George Kittle's record-breaking season last year is proving to be no fluke. The San Francisco 49ers tight end has recorded his second consecutive season of 1,000-or-more receiving yards. And that's after missing two games this year with knee and ankle injuries.
As of this post, Kittle has five receptions for 74 yards in the 49ers' Week 17 rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. Kittle was unavailable for the first matchup between the two teams, which was the first of his two missed games this season.
Update: Kittle finished the game with seven receptions for 86 yards. His 1,053 receiving yards this season make him the fifth player and first tight end in franchise history to record multiple 1,000-yard-receiving seasons.
"I'm sure George, just like everyone, will be juiced up," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said this past week. "He always brings it, game day, practice, whatever it is. The energy that he brings is huge for us, so it will be good to have him this time."
Kittle, who is in his third NFL season, entered Week 17 just 33 yards shy of 1,000 receiving yards. He had 78 receptions for 967 yards with five touchdowns heading into tonight's matchup.
"He's the top player on the team," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said via a conference call this past week. "He's everything. They can build the whole game around him, and count on him and all that.
"He has grown in the years we've been here and watched him. He's just become an extraordinary player and performer and all that. Hopefully, we can find a way to match up somehow."
George Kittle reports to 49ers for offseason program
By David Bonilla
Apr 25
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle rejoined his teammates in Santa Clara on Friday to participate in the team's offseason program that began earlier in the week. There was speculation that Kittle's absence at the start might be contract-related, as the tight end enters...
Russini: Teams inquired about trading for 49ers TE George Kittle
By David Bonilla
Apr 26
Earlier this week, The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported that teams might inquire about trading for San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle as contract negotiations between the two sides continued. Kittle did not immediately report for the start of the 49ers' offseason...
Is George Kittle a first-ballot Hall of Famer? Rich Eisen shares his take on 49ers star
By David Bonilla
Apr 29
Back in February, 49ers general manager John Lynch voiced his hope that George Kittle would retire as a lifelong member of the San Francisco 49ers. That vision took a significant step forward on Tuesday morning, as Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension,...
Details emerge on George Kittle's contract extension with 49ers
By David Bonilla
17 hrs
Tight end George Kittle signed a four-year, $76.4 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio shared the specifics of the deal, which once again makes Kittle the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
The new agreement is a...