Head coach Kyle Shanahan said tight end George Kittle is one of the players the San Francisco 49ers hope to "be smart" with during Week 1's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. After all, it was just eight months ago that Kittle suffered a torn Achilles.
Kittle spoke to reporters Wednesday afternoon (Tuesday night in the United States), sharing that he feels good and suggesting he's ready to join his teammates on the field this week.
Shanahan recently made headlines when he said Kittle had taken a "step back." While most assumed the coach meant the tight end had taken a step toward returning to the field, others questioned the wording, wondering whether Shanahan actually meant Kittle had suffered a setback in his recovery.
Of course, Shanahan later clarified that Kittle was progressing well.
"I don't know exactly what I said there, but it was probably just me not speaking right," Shanahan said. "George has been great. He's passing everything."
So, when Kittle was asked how he was feeling just days before kickoff and what his Week 1 workload might look like, the tight end couldn't help but joke with the media by referencing the same wording.
"Body feels really good," Kittle said. "It's bounced back really good. I'd say I've really taken a step back ... towards playing. But besides that, don't know what the workload is. I don't know what Sunday looks—jeez Louise—what Friday morning looks like (Thursday night in the United States). Kyle said we're in the future, so I don't really know what day it is. But I guess we'll all find out on Friday."
Kittle was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice (Monday in the United States). The 49ers' Thursday participation report (you know the drill—Wednesday in the United States) will reveal how much work he got in during the team's final full practice of the week.
Kittle, a former fifth-round draft pick by San Francisco, is entering his 10th NFL season. Injuries limited him to 11 games last season, but he still recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
Mentioned in this article: George Kittle
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