According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is dealing with a "mid-to-low ankle sprain" sustained during Monday night's 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
49ers tight end George Kittle is dealing with a "mid-to-low ankle sprain," per source. Kittle said after the game he believed he avoided a high ankle and that is the case.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 23, 2025
After the game, Kittle said he does not believe the injury was a high-ankle sprain, which typically results in extended missed time.
"My concern level? I don't think it's a high-ankle sprain," Kittle told reporters. "So we'll take it one day at a time, and we'll go from there."
The injury occurred in the third quarter. Kittle said he believes a Colts defender executed a hip-drop tackle, though no penalty was called on the play.
George Kittle said last night that he injured his ankle in the second quarter on an apparent hip-drop tackle. That play appears to have come early in the third quarter on the reception that put Kittle over 100 yards for the game. pic.twitter.com/qSHSaaMrOE
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) December 23, 2025
"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."
The 49ers have two regular-season games remaining. San Francisco will host the Chicago Bears this weekend at Levi's Stadium before closing out the season against the Seattle Seahawks at home. If the 49ers win their final two games, they will clinch the NFC West and secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.