It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers will be without their All-Pro tight end when they face the Chicago Bears on Sunday. According to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle, George Kittle is not expected to play.
#49ers TE George Kittle is not expected to play vs. the Bears on Sunday due to the groin injury he suffered in practice Monday, per source.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 11, 2022
After suffering the groin strain during Monday's practice, Kittle did not practice on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. However, he traveled with the team with the hope that he would be healthy enough to go for the Week 1 matchup.
Kittle was listed as "questionable" on Friday's injury report.
"Feeling significantly better than where we were at Monday," Kittle said Friday in Santa Clara. "Even better than Wednesday, better than Thursday. Taking great steps forward. Definitely doing everything I can to be on the field on Sunday."
Kittle and the 49ers were on the same page regarding the situation, though. If there were a chance that playing could make the injury worse, the tight end would sit this one out.
"If I could make it worse, I don't think they're going to let me play," Kittle said.
Kittle missed 11 games over the past two seasons.
The 49ers are currently listed as 6.5-point favorites over the Bears. The two teams kick off at 10 a.m. PT (noon CT) at Soldier Field.