San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has remained optimistic about his chances of suiting up for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. However, nothing is certain, even days before the 49ers travel overseas.

The 49ers practiced Monday and will hold two more sessions Tuesday and Wednesday before embarking on their lengthy journey to Australia. The team will closely monitor Kittle during those practices as it evaluates whether he will be ready to play in the season opener.


NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport discussed Kittle's status during a segment on The Insiders.

"First of all, taking into account that this is an unbelievable thing that George Kittle even has a chance to play Week 1," Rapoport said. "When he tore his Achilles, I think most people were like, 'You know what? Probably going to see him in October, and that's fine. Take your time.' George Kittle does not take his time. He isn't patient. He wants to get out there and play.

"Now, he is going to take the next couple of days and really figure this out. My understanding is the 49ers truly do not know whether he is going to be able to play. They're going to push him. They're going to give him the opportunity. He has been pushing himself, but really we're going to get an answer after these couple of days of practice and not before."

Rapoport stressed that the 49ers would prefer to determine Kittle's status before traveling to Australia, potentially avoiding an unnecessary trip for the veteran tight end. That matches up with what head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday.

"I think if we didn't think he was going to play, and it was looking that way, I think it'd be much nicer to make that decision before we left, instead of having him go through all that," Shanahan said. "It's also a long time that we're out there, so to be away from the team for a week, not for camaraderie or anything, but just the training staff and things like that, and being away from meetings, is also a big deal, too.


"But hopefully, these three days that we have, these three practices, will go the right way, and it'll make it an easy decision to get him on the plane."

Kittle traveling with the 49ers would be an encouraging sign that the team expects its All-Pro tight end to have a chance to play against the Rams.

"We'll see if he actually does get on the plane or if he stays home if he's not able to play and just continues rehab," Rapoport added. "Either way, whether he plays in Week 1 or not, George Kittle is back sooner rather than later, and that is an incredible rehab story."

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