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The San Francisco 49ers surprised reporters by bringing in tight end
George Kittle to speak via Zoom on Thursday. Fans shouldn't take Kittle's availability to the media as a clue that he will play on Sunday against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, though.
In case anyone from the New York Giants is reading this — maybe he will, maybe he won't.
"I just missed you guys," Kittle said. "They said I could talk to you guys. I haven't talked to you guys in a week. I just really missed all your faces and voices."
Kittle is recovering from a sprained MCL and bone bruise, according to
multiple reports. He missed this past Sunday's game against the New York Jets but hopes to get back on the field this weekend. The tight end has been
limited during the team's two practices this week at The Greenbrier in West Virginia.
San Francisco's 31-13 win over the Jets was bittersweet. The team got its first win of the season but lost several players in the process.
Defensive linemen
Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas suffered season-ending ACL injuries. Running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman probably won't be on the field against the Giants. The latter could miss multiple weeks and may be a candidate for short-term injured reserve, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Said Kittle: "It's tough when you lose two guys at similar positions on the D-line, especially with Bosa, who, in my opinion, is one of the best football players in the NFL. But we've just got to play for them."
The 49ers remain a confident bunch. Some early-season injuries aren't going to change their mentality moving forward.
"The morale of the team is we're still a great football team," said Kittle. "Obviously, we have to go prove that each and every Sunday, but we're still confident in our abilities. We have a lot of dogs on defense and on offense and epochal teams, a lot of guys that can make plays. We have depth all over the field, whether it's wide receiver, tight ends, D-line, O-line; we've got guys everywhere. Our corners are getting back and healthy.
"I'm just excited to see guys go out there and take advantage of the opportunity because we do have guys down, but it's football. Next man in. I know that's cliché and cheesy, but it is what it is. We have a lot of guys who are looking forward to getting this opportunity so they can prove themselves and put some good ball on tape."
Should Kittle play on Sunday, it probably won't be Jimmy Garoppolo tossing him the football. The 49ers' starting quarterback suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Jets. While he hasn't officially been ruled out, all signs point towards Nick Mullens making his ninth career start.
Kittle doesn't believe too much of the game plan will have to be altered due to a potential quarterback change.
"They're both similar quarterbacks," Kittle explained. "They both sling it. They're both confident in their abilities. I don't know how the game plan would be any different, but I don't know if Jimmy's going to play or not play.
"Nick's confident in the whole game plan. He's got it locked in, and he's going to have a great game."
Added Kittle: "We're definitely in good hands if Jimmy can't go."
George Kittle recently spoke with ESPN during the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he joined other NFL stars for the golfing event. Of course, the conversation shifted toward football, with Laura Rutledge asking Kittle to reflect on the team's 2023 season, its Super Bowl defeat, and the motivation it provides for the upcoming season.
The tight end believes San Francisco maintained a competitive roster this offseason and is gearing up for another run at a championship. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good health and continual improvement for a successful upcoming season.
"Brock Purdy is a fantastic quarterback, and he's only going to get better because he's young," Kittle said. "And we were fortunate enough to be able to keep our entire
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group caught up with Brock Purdy over the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback hosted his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium. Today, Purdy and most of his teammates will report to the team for the start of the offseason program, which will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation over the next couple of weeks.
While this offseason holds significance for Purdy as he seeks to build upon an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him set a single-season franchise
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
