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George Kittle Gives Mid-Range TE1 Value in Week 3 vs. Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has returned to top-tier TE status and is set to have an increased workload in Week 3 against the Arizona Cardinals. The veteran had a quiet start to his 2026 campaign as he worked his way back from offseason Achilles surgery, but broke out in Week 2 by catching all four of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins. The 49ers have a banged-up receiving corps heading into Sunday's matchup, with Mike Evans (hip) listed as questionable and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) joining De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) on the sidelines. That shouldn't put too much pressure on Kittle, though, considering the Cardinals defense has struggled against the pass to start the 2026 season. Kittle returns to starter status as a mid-range TE1 in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
George Kittle's Fantasy Performance Carried by Enormous Second Half
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught all four of his targets for 80 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Kittle had a quiet Week 1 performance while handling a limited workload due to injury, and it looked like he was headed for another dud after finishing the first half of Sunday's game without a target. However, he broke out in the second half, catching all four of his passes despite the 49ers having a sizable lead. The big second half allowed Kittle to finish as the 49ers' leading receiver in terms of yardage, and he tied for the team-high in receptions. The veteran tight end is a candidate to finish as a top-five fantasy scorer in any given week, but he has a particularly high ceiling going forward with wide receivers De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Mike Evans (hip), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) all dealing with injuries.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Could See More Work In Week 2
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is off the injury report for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Kittle started the week with back-to-back limited practices but was a full participant on Friday. After tearing his Achilles in a wild card matchup last season, Kittle beat the typical recovery timeline and was on the field for 30 of the 49ers' 65 offensive snaps in last week's season opener, and caught two of his five targets for 12 yards. Another week stronger and with backup Jake Tonges (knee) on injured reserve, Kittle should see more involvement in what looks like a favorable matchup against Miami. Last week, Raiders tight end Michael Mayer pulled in six receptions, tying him for the team lead in their win over the Fins. Kittle may not be a ceiling play just yet, but he should be started as a potential TE1/2 in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Officially Cleared for Week 2
As expected, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) upgraded to a full practice on Friday and was not on Friday's final injury report, according to David Furones of The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in a playoff game in January, but he made enough progress to be active in the Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia, although he played only 46% of the offensive snaps and caught two of his five targets for 12 yards. The 32-year-old veteran had a quiet season opener, but that was to be expected in his first game back from a season-ending injury late last season. In Week 2 at home against the visiting Miami Dolphins, Kittle should see more of the field, especially since fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) has been ruled out for the year. The seven-time Pro Bowler might not be totally back to himself yet, but he should be a more acceptable low-end TE1/high-end TE2 play in fantasy lineups in a cushy matchup.
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
Source: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones
George Kittle Limited Again on Thursday
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Despite tearing his Achilles in the playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles in January, Kittle was active for San Francisco's Week 1 season-opening win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams last Thursday in Australia. However, the 32-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro only logged 46% of the offensive snaps and caught two of his five targets for just 12 yards. Kittle should be good to go for the Week 2 contest at home against the Miami Dolphins this Sunday, and RotoBaller is expecting him to play more, especially since fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) is out for the rest of the season. Fantasy managers should consider Kittle a better low-end TE1 play this weekend in an excellent matchup in his second game back from a torn Achilles.
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
Source: NBC Sports - Matt Maiocco
George Kittle Rising to Top-Tier TE1 Range After Recovery
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was limited in Week 1 due to recovery from an Achilles injury, and while he remained limited in practice on Wednesday, we expect him to take on a substantially larger role going forward. As a result, he's back in the top-12 tight end range for fantasy purposes as long as he's healthy. Last year, Kittle ranked as the overall TE2 during his healthy stretch from Weeks 8-16. A healthy Kittle catching passes from Brock Purdy will fight to be the top-scoring fantasy tight end any given week, making him a must-start in all leagues. Managers who might feel spurned by his two-catch performance last week should feel some assurance knowing that he only played 45% of the offensive snaps. If he's healthy enough to play more than 75% of the snaps this week, he's a near-lock for top-12 production at the tight end position, especially after Purdy lost young target De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) to IR.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Limited in Practice on Wednesday
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was listed as a limited participant in practice on Wednesday, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Kittle was also limited last week after tearing his Achilles tendon in the playoffs in January, but he was active for the Week 1 season-opening win on Thursday over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Australia. The Niners eased the Pro Bowl tight end in, as Kittle played under half of the offensive snaps and underwhelmed with only two catches on five targets for 12 yards. Even with fellow TE Jake Tonges (knee) out for the year with an MCL injury, the 49ers could continue to ease Kittle back into their offense in the Week 2 matchup at home against the Miami Dolphins in a game that San Fran is expected to win easily. At best, Kittle should be viewed as a low-end TE1 for fantasy lineups this weekend in just his second regular-season game since his torn Achilles early in 2026.
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
Jake Tonges Done for Season After MCL Surgery
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (knee) is done for the season after surgery to repair a torn MCL, according to Cam Inman. The 49ers had already placed Tonges on injured reserve Wednesday, but the surgery takes a return later this year off the table. He suffered the injury during the season-opening win over the Rams and did not record a catch before leaving. Tonges had moved into the No. 2 tight end spot behind George Kittle after catching 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns last season. San Francisco now has Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis behind Kittle and also added veteran Jack Stoll to the practice squad. Farrell and Willis are the names to watch if the 49ers need more work from the position behind Kittle.
Source: Cam Inman
Source: Cam Inman
49ers Signed Kyle Shanahan to Extension in the Offseason
The Ringer's Tom Pelissero reports that the San Francisco 49ers quietly signed head coach Kyle Shanahan to a contract extension in the offseason, per sources. Shanahan was previously believed to be signed through the 2027 season, but one of the league's top coaches is now locked up for years to come. Terms of Shanahan's new deal have not been disclosed, but it is a big plus for a 49ers squad that looked outstanding on both sides of the ball in their season-opening win on Thursday in Australia over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. San Francisco has been notably banged up in recent years and dealt with key injuries again this summer in training camp, but their defense, in particular, was impressive in Melbourne in holding the high-octane Rams offense to just seven points. Shanahan was involved in a scary car accident over the summer as well, but he recovered nicely and was available for the Week 1 win. Things are looking up for the Niners going into Week 2.
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Source: The Ringer - Tom Pelissero
Head Coach Says Jake Tonges' MCL Injury Doesn't Look Good
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges' knee injury "does not look good," head coach Kyle Shanahan told Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Shanahan added that Tonges injured his MCL, and he'll undergo additional testing to confirm the diagnosis. The 27-year-old suffered the injury while attempting to set a block on Los Angeles Rams defensive end Myles Garrett during Thursday's Week 1 victory. Tonges finished the game without a target, and since George Kittle had his workload monitored, the 49ers gave more snaps to third-string tight end Luke Farrell. Ultimately, Farrell caught two passes for 19 yards, leading the tight end room in total yardage. Assuming Shanahan's fears are confirmed, Tonges is likely facing an extended absence. Farrell would take on a larger role, and Kittle should also get back to a near-full workload in Week 2.
Source: Vic Tafur
Source: Vic Tafur
Jake Tonges Ruled Out For the Remainder of the Game Thursday
Matt Lively of CBS reported Thursday evening that tight end for the 49ers, Jake Tonges (knee), has officially been ruled out of Thursday's contest against the Rams. Tonges had to be helped off the field in the second quarter and was ruled out shortly afterward. Prior to exiting, Tonges did not see any targets in the passing game. Luke Farrell is the likeliest candidate to step up into the two tight end sets for the 49ers, behind superstar George Kittle. Fantasy Managers rostering Tonges as a handcuff option will want to monitor his situation over the next few days.
Source: Matt Lively
Source: Matt Lively
Jake Tonges Questionable to Return in Week 1 with Knee Injury
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (knee) is questionable to return to his team's Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a knee injury, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. Tonges did not record a catch or target before exiting the game. The 27-year-old had the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets across 17 games. However, much of Tonges' production came in games where star 49ers tight end George Kittle was sidelined by injury. As long as Kittle remains healthy in 2026, Tonges is unlikely to play a significant role in the San Francisco passing game.
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner
George Kittle Cleared, Still A Risky Play For Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) beat the usual recovery timeline for the Achilles tear he suffered in January and will be active for the team's season opener on Thursday night. Despite being limited in practices this week, he carries no injury designation heading into the Week 1 matchup against the Rams in Melbourne. In Kittle's only game against Los Angeles in 2025, he caught nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy managers should not expect the same production for Week 1, as the tight end can be expected to be on a pitch count, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With the additions to the 49ers' receiving room in Mike Evans, De'Zhaun Stribling, and Deebo Samuel Sr., Brock Purdy has plenty of options to throw to. Kittle ranks as RotoBaller's TE8 this week, but his usual ceiling will be hard to reach in light of the circumstances around him.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
George Kittle Will Be On "Pitch Count" During Season Opener
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle tore his right Achilles in January and has worked his way back to being available for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams. However, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports that the talented tight end will be on a "pitch count to start, but a pretty dramatic return for one of the NFL's best tight ends. George Kittle is back." Kittle played in 11 games in 2025 and recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged 11.0 yards per reception and 57.1 yards per game. Even at age 32, Kittle is still one of the best tight end bets for fantasy. Returning from an Achilles tear as quickly as he did at that advanced age is a bit concerning, but if anyone can do it, it would be Kittle. Look for a bit of a slow start to the season as he adjusts back to playing, but he still should be a top-tier tight end.
Source: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport
George Kittle Will Complete His Comeback, Play in Week 1
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is off the injury report and has no designation for Thursday night's matchup in Melbourne against the Rams. Kittle tore his Achilles on January 11th against the Eagles, but the 32-year-old has been aiming for a Week 1 return. He'll hit that target and play on Thursday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Kittle could need some time to ramp up to a full workload, but he brings a high enough ceiling to be started in most formats right away. Kittle is the No. 8 tight end in RotoBaller's Week 1 rankings, so he should probably be in your lineup if you drafted him in most leagues. With a whole new wide receiver group, Kittle's rapport with QB Brock Purdy will be critical to the 49ers' ability to keep up with the Rams Down Under this Thursday.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
