Ugh, it happened again. San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle suffered yet another major injury – and this one has his future with the team in serious jeopardy.
With over six minutes remaining in the second quarter of the 49ers’ NFC Wild Card playoff win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Kittle hauled in a short 6-yard pass in the right flat and attempted to turn up-field for extra yards. Eagles LB Zack Baun delivered a tackle that caused Kittle’s right leg to buckle awkwardly, which was later diagnosed as a torn right Achilles tendon.
As Kittle was carted off the field to the locker room, he continued to clap and encourage his San Fran teammates, embodying the grit that has defined the 49ers’ injury-plagued season. The team was already shorthanded, missing losing an overwhelming number of players due to injuries this season, and that will certainly fuel the internet’s latest rabbit hole.
RB Christian McCaffrey, who had two game-changing touchdowns, spoke emotionally about Kittle’s influence.
“This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year. He’s the heart and soul of this team,” McCaffrey said. “That’s a tough loss. When he’s not playing, it means a lot.(…) When you lose a leader like that, you never really lose him because his presence is still in this locker room. His energy is still here.”
Next up, the 49ers will take their Cinderella act on the road to face the division-rival (and NFC No. 1 seed) Seattle Seahawks. But the lingering question remains: what does this latest injury mean for Kittle’s future in San Francisco?
George Kittle Injury
The play where Kittle was injured seemed routine, as it was a quick pass designed to gain a few yards, but disaster quickly struck. Kittle’s right leg gave way, and he was unable to put weight on it as medical staff rushed to his side.
Post-game evaluations confirmed the worst: a torn Achilles tendon, which has a lengthy recovery period of anywhere from 6-12 months. However, for the 32-year-old Kittle, this could be particularly challenging, given his injury-prone past and the physical demands of the TE position.
If you looked at Kittle’s medical chart, you’d probably be surprised to see this guy walking. Going all the way back to his college days at Iowa, a foot injury in 2016 limited him in spurts during the season, followed by a hamstring injury in training camp during his rookie season. From there, it’s just a matter of which body parts weren’t injured during the NFL career.
At this point, you have to imagine Kittle tries one last chance at making a comeback at returning to San Francisco. But the player we all once knew might have been carted off the field on Sunday.
49ers Rally for Kittle
Trailing 13-10 at halftime without Kittle, the 49ers faced yet another uphill battle missing one of their key players. The offense was already missing WR Ricky Pearsall, so fellow wideout Demarcus Robsinson stepped up in a big way from the opening whistle en route to a final 6-111-1 stat line.
Ultimately, it was McCaffrey that kept San Fran moving along in the playoffs. The All-Pro RB didn’t have a particularly great day on the ground, but that unicorn-like receiving ability out of the backfield saw him score both of the team’s fourth-quarter touchdowns. The first of those scores actually came on a trick-play throw from WR Jauan Jennings.
“I was scared for a little bit, but after I heard the screams, I’m just like, ‘Yeah, CMC had to have made a great catch,’ because coming off my hand, I definitely thought I threw it too far.”
Defensively, the makeshift lineup held firm against the Eagles’ potent attack that didn’t come to play on Sunday. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan praised his group’s fortitude:
“You don’t have to address that (Kittle injury). Guys know right away. … We were happy with how it was going in the first half and thought we’d have the grit to finish it.”
The 49ers’ “next man up” philosophy has kept the 49ers competitive and even puts Shanahan firmly in the discussion for the NFL’s Coach of the Year award. Defensive coordinator Robert Salah is even finding himself as a popular name amongst teams around the league looking for a new coach of their own.
Future Horizons: Kittle’s Road to Recovery and the 49ers’ Path Forward
Looking beyond the immediate triumph, Kittle’s injury casts a shadow over his future and the team’s prospects. For Kittle, this could mean reevaluating his role upon return or facing questions about longevity in a physically demanding league.
On Saturday, the 49ers will travel to the Great Northwest for a date with the NFC West champs, the Seahawks. Not only will this be a rematch of the same two teams we just saw battling it out for the No. 1 seed in Week 17, but these squads faced here other here – in Seattle – for the season opening game.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Seahawks are seven-point favorites. Given the heavy -360 juice to Seattle’s moneyline, it doesn’t appear like the oddsmakers have any faith that this upset train will keep rolling. After all, this same defense just went on the road to Santa Clara and held the 49ers to three points.
Kittle’s infectious energy will have to be an inspiration to the 49ers during the week and in the moments leading up to the game. It’s probably too soon for him to be on the sideline next week in Seattle but never say never with this guy.
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