The San Francisco 49ers opened the practice window for tight end George Kittle last week. It sounds like he has a good chance to get back on the football field on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. That will help C.J. Beathard, who is making his first start since 2018.
"I'd be surprised if he's not (cleared to play)," head coach Kyle Shanahan told Scott Reiss and Kerry Crowley on KNBR. "I mean, he's looked great in practice this week."
Shanahan was asked if Kittle is doing any campaigning to make sure that happens. The tight end hasn't played since Week 8 after breaking a bone in his foot.
"He doesn't have to ride me or anything with it," Shanahan responded. "It's just about him being 100 percent healthy, and that's what he's looking like right now. He's looked as fresh and healthy as any player we have out there, so I'm more excited about talking to him tomorrow, making sure his body feels right.
"And the injury that he did have, he has no worry about that after practicing real hard today. I'm curious to see how that feels tomorrow, and if it keeps not being a problem, he doesn't have to convince me. Kittle will be out there.
"The players will be pumped up to have him out there. I know I'll be pumped up to have him out there. And if that does happen, we're going to have to be smart with it, though. We've got to understand that you're not just putting the George Kittle that we're used to out there. He hasn't played football in a while.
"I know he's healthy. I know he'll be safe if he can go out there but also got to understand that he hasn't played a lot of ball this year. So, he'll just be a part of it, if he [does play], and whatever he can be out there for, whether it's one play or 30 players, I know I'll take any of it."
Shanahan also discussed a few of the team's other injured players. Safety Jimmie Ward remains in the concussion protocol, and the coach didn't sound too confident that he would be cleared in time for Saturday's game. Ward has missed the last two practices with just one more remaining.
"So, probably an outside chance of that," Shanahan said.
Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw has not practiced this week either. The 49ers are waiting for the swelling in his knee to go down before determining his status.
You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.
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