The San Francisco 49ers picked up a decisive 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, improving to 11-4 on the season. However, the victory did not come without some injury concerns.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed the media after the game and provided several postgame injury updates, most notably on tight end George Kittle. Kittle suffered an ankle injury and did not return, though Shanahan said the team would need further evaluation before determining the severity.
"He played with it for a while, and just got too stiff, so we'll find out tomorrow," Shanahan said.
Kittle previously spent time on injured reserve earlier this season with a torn hamstring, but he did not appear overly concerned about the latest issue.
"My concern level? I don't think it's a high-ankle sprain," Kittle said. "So we'll take it one day at a time, and we'll go from there."
Kittle revealed the injury occurred earlier than initially believed, saying it happened during the second quarter, not the third.
Update: Matt Barrows of The Athletic confirmed that the injury actually occurred in the third quarter.
"We had a drive. I feel like I got hip-dropped," Kittle said. "Ankle got stuck in the grass—or the turf. The cork turf—really weird field. Anyhow, tried to tape it up, went in the third quarter. Then, it just got worse from there.
"If I can't run very fast or plant, then I think it's a better [opportunity] for my other tight ends to go in there and make plays."
Other injury updates
Shanahan also said linebacker Tatum Bethune "zinged his ankle" but was able to return to the game.
Wide receiver Skyy Moore was evaluated for a concussion and was cleared to return.
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