Tight End University (TEU) kicked off this week in Nashville, Tennessee, and San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle appears to be trending in the right direction during on-field work.
Kittle is continuing his recovery from the Achilles injury he suffered during the 49ers' playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles last season. The veteran tight end is aiming to be ready when San Francisco opens its 2026 campaign against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1.
Early signs from Nashville suggest Kittle is making strong progress toward that goal.
Multiple videos circulating on social media Tuesday showed the 49ers star moving fluidly during on-field sessions.
#49ers George Kittle is MOVIN at TEU as he comes back from a torn Achilles 👀 pic.twitter.com/YiKAY9ba58
— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@TheSFNiners) June 23, 2026
Coming off a season-ending Achilles tear and eyeing a Week 1 return, George Kittle is going through warm up lines at TEU. pic.twitter.com/jQWT8qB4W7
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) June 23, 2026
The return of George Kittle will be legendary 💯#49ers | #TEU pic.twitter.com/NbM6liYPJ6
— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@TheSFNiners) June 23, 2026
Kittle is not the only 49ers player participating in TEU this year. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is contributing in a teaching role during classroom sessions, while quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Mac Jones are also in attendance, taking part in passing drills with fellow NFL players.
#49ers QBs Brock Purdy and Mac Jones at TEU 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UwDZX1nnvk
— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@TheSFNiners) June 23, 2026
#49ers Brock Purdy spraying darts at TEU 🎯 pic.twitter.com/3kazEaLAsU
— ???????????????????????????????????????????? (@TheSFNiners) June 23, 2026
Earlier this week, Kittle also provided an encouraging update on his recovery progress.
"I'm 21 weeks out, and I'm running over 16 miles an hour, so I'm having a great time," Kittle said on the Pardon My Take podcast. "Single-leg box jumps, we're cutting again, we're having some fun."
Kittle's movement at TEU offers another positive sign for the 49ers as they prepare for the 2026 season.
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