It sounds like the San Francisco 49ers will have tight end George Kittle on the football field when the team faces the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener. According to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter, Kittle is expected to play in the Week 1 contest at Acrisure Stadium.
On Friday, the 49ers listed Kittle as one of two questionable players. The other is cornerback Charvarius Ward. Kittle is dealing with a groin injury, while Ward has been bothered by his heel. Kittle has been a limited participant in practices this past week.
On Thursday, a reporter asked Kittle how he felt, and the tight end expressed optimism about his chances of playing this weekend.
"Wonderful," Kittle responded. "I get to practice, get to play football, have the best job in the world besides you guys, and I'm just excited to play on Sunday."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan had prepared for the possibility of facing the Steelers without his All-Pro tight end.
"[Kittle]'s a great pass-game tight end, and he's a great run-blocking tight end," Shanahan told reporters on Friday. "So obviously, anytime you're missing a great player, it does change things, but you always are prepared for that when you have an idea it could be a possibility, too. So it's better than being surprised."
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