placeholder image

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports


Kyle Shanahan would be surprised if George Kittle doesn’t play in 49ers-Broncos

Sep 23, 2022 at 7:27 AM--


Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
Get ready for tight end George Kittle's 2022 season debut. He's likely to be on the field with his teammates on Sunday when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

"I'd be surprised if he doesn't play," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday morning on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "We can't say for sure yet but he's been good in these two days of practice. Should be good today, and if we don't have any setbacks, he should be playing."

Friday's typically lighter practice is the last before the 49ers board a plane for Denver.

"Any time you add one of your better players out there, it helps in every area," Shanahan added. "George is really good in the run game, and he's good in the pass game, so you've got a better blocker out there, and you've got more explosiveness at the tight end position.

"So we'll see where he's at, but I think everyone knows how good of a player George is in this league when he's healthy, and we've just got to get him back to [being healthy], and hopefully, we can keep it that way."

On Thursday, Kittle was talking to reporters as if he expected to play and as though he had put his groin injury behind him. He admitted to being anxious to get back on the field after being a sideline observer during the first two games.

"That's what Sunday Night Football is for," Kittle said. "Just going to go out there and let it all out there. It will be really fun."

Kittle suffered his injury on September 5, finally returning to practice a week ago. This week, he has been a limited participant in the team's first two practices.

Shanahan added that there isn't an update on defensive lineman Arik Armstead, who suffered a foot injury against the Seattle Seahawks and hasn't practiced this week.

"Hopefully, he'll get in a little bit today," Shanahan said. "He hasn't been able to go this week yet, so I'm not sure, but it's still early today on Friday. So I'm hoping when he gets in here, he'll be good enough to get a little today in practice, but it's usually half speed today anyways for the D-linemen. ... But if he's out there, I know that's a better sign than him not being able to go."

The 49ers and Broncos kick off on Sunday at 5:20 p.m. PT (6:20 p.m. MT).

You can listen to the entire conversation with Shanahan below.



Related News





Facebook Comments



More San Francisco 49ers News


placeholder image

New Netflix show "Receiver" will feature 49ers' Deebo Samuel and George Kittle

By David Bonilla
Mar 19

After the success of "Quarterback," the NFL has announced a new series on Netflix called "Receiver." This series will follow a similar format but focus on those who haul in passes. San Francisco 49ers fans will be delighted to learn that two popular team players, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tight end George Kittle, will be among those featured in the upcoming show. The two 49ers stars are among the most charismatic individuals on the roster, so it's easy to see why they were chosen for the series. The other stars of the show will be Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit


placeholder image

49ers' George Kittle, Charvarius Ward underwent surgeries; Dre Greenlaw aiming for Week 1 return

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

According to general manager John Lynch, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward wasn't the sole player to undergo core muscle surgery this offseason. Lynch disclosed to reporters at the NFL owners meetings on Monday that All-Pro tight end George Kittle also had the procedure. However, the silver lining is that both players are expected to be fully cleared for training camp, set to commence at the end of July. George Kittle and Charvarius Ward both had core muscle surgery this offseason and will be back, fully cleared, for


placeholder image

Andy Reid praises 49ers' Brock Purdy, has advice for Kyle Shanahan

By David Bonilla
Mar 25

Super Bowl-winning head coach Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs witnessed all he needed from Brock Purdy last season to assure him that the San Francisco 49ers are in capable hands at the quarterback position. Purdy was an MVP nominee in 2023 and had his 49ers just a play or two away from clinching a Super Bowl victory away from the Chiefs. Unfortunately, for Purdy and the 49ers, Reid and his own quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, widely regarded as the best in the game today, dashed their Super Bowl dreams in overtime last month. According to NBC Sports Bay Area, speaking at the NFL owners meetings on Monday, Reid stated, "Yeah, I


placeholder image

Kyle Shanahan: 49ers hope to keep Brandon Aiyuk, Brock Purdy together

By David Bonilla
Mar 26

Last week, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan ran into his wide receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, while on vacation in Cabo San Lucas. "He was randomly at our hotel. I don't think he wanted to be," the coach shared on Tuesday while speaking to reporters at the NFL owners meetings. The 49ers are currently negotiating a long-term extension with Aiyuk to ensure he remains with the team for the foreseeable future. However, with it only being March, it's challenging to predict how everything will unfold. Typically, under the leadership of Shanahan and general manager John Lynch, the 49ers have reached agreements with their star players closer to training camp in July. Lynch stated yesterday that the


Latest

Trending News

Share 49ersWebzone