George Kittle has been playing with a torn labrum the past two seasons, which is why you've seen the San Francisco 49ers tight end wearing a protective sleeve on game days. As we first reported last month, Kittle said there is "no chance" he undergoes surgery this offseason to repair the damage because he doesn't want to miss any part of the 49ers' offseason program, including team workouts.
Kittle reiterated that on Wednesday, as players cleared out their lockers following the team's heartbreaking Super Bowl LIV loss. He isn't expecting to undergo any surgeries this offseason.
"Just rehab, get the body back to 100 percent. That's it," Kittle said via Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
#49ers TE George Kittle said he's not expecting to need or have any offseason surgeries or procedures. "Just rehab, get the body back to 100 percent, that's it," Kittle said.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) February 5, 2020
A torn labrum isn't the only injury Kittle dealt with this season. He missed two games due to knee and ankle injuries suffered during Week 9.
Kittle finished the regular season with 85 catches for 1,053 yards with five touchdowns, which was his second consecutive season with 1,000-or-more receiving yards. His 2,945 receiving yards since being drafted are the most by a tight end during the player's first three seasons.
The 49ers reportedly hope to lock Kittle up to a contract extension as quickly as possible, perhaps as soon as the coming weeks. The tight end, largely considered to be the best in football, is entering the fourth and final year of his rookie deal.
George Kittle on a possible contract extension w/#49ers:
"My agent will handle all those questions. He's in charge of that so if you guys want to talk to him you're more than welcome too." pic.twitter.com/xt3FTvji2M
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) February 5, 2020