George Kittle ‘absolutely’ expects to play in 49ers’ Week 18 game vs. Seahawks

SANTA CLARA — George Kittle is set to return to the field in the 49ers’ regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, after missing San Francisco’s Week 17 win over the Chicago Bears.“Absolutely,” Kittle said enthusiastically when asked if he planned to play on Saturday night at Levi’s Stadium. The All-Pro tight end played his best statistical game in Indianapolis in Week 16, hauling in seven of his eight targets for 115 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game early with an ankle injury. The week off was enough to help Kittle return to playing shape. “Fabulous,” Kittle said when asked how he was feeling. “Great position for Saturday night to punch a one seed. So just with that, I’m doing fantastic.”As Kittle referenced, the winner of Saturday night’s divisional clash will clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed and a first-round bye. The additional time off would not only help players recover before their first postseason game but also could give players like Trent Williams more time to get healthy before starting their playoff run. Williams, who suffered a hamstring injury on the first...