‘I feel fantastic’: George Kittle downplays injury, but 49ers will learn more on Monday

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle headed into the locker room a little earlier than his teammates after suffering what looked to be a knee or leg injury. He was, however, able to return to the game in the second half, but was largely ineffective in the team's 24-20 defeat against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium on Sunday.

The tight end was held without a catch after the injury.

"George, he's a warrior," quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said. "He fights through a lot, a lot of injuries, a lot of little nicks and bumps. But it didn't affect him at all. They were cheating a lot of coverage to him and putting some extra people on him, so it made it a little difficult at times, but I thought he played a hell of a game."

Kittle was asked after the game how his leg feels.

"I feel fantastic. Fantastic," Kittle responded. "Not an issue at all."

Of course, the 49ers star said something similar last season after suffering an injury, coincidentally, against the Cardinals during a Week 9 contest. Like this game, Kittle continued playing in that 2019 road matchup but missed the next two games.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that the team would learn more about the extent of the injury on Monday.

"I'm not exactly sure (about the extent of the injury)," Shanahan said. "I know he went out with a lower leg injury. They don't get into specifics with me. At halftime, he told me he was good to go, so he returned.

"I'm sure we'll find out a little bit more tomorrow morning when he comes in."

Kittle ended the day with four receptions for 44 yards but was not targeted after returning from the injury.