Aug 20, 2026, 9:53 PM ET

According to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) visited Los Angeles on Wednesday with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed the surgery on his torn Achilles in January. It was an encouraging visit, with Kittle's recovery ahead of schedule and giving him a legitimate chance to play in the regular-season opener in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams. Kittle injured his Achilles in January during the second quarter of the 49ers' NFC Wild Card game. While he is now 32 years old, it's a very encouraging sign for a 49ers offense that is dealing with injuries to wide receivers Mike Evans (quad) and has already lost Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the season. Kittle played in 11 games last season and was extremely efficient, hauling in 57 of his 69 targets for 628 yards and seven touchdowns with an 11.02 yards per reception. RotoBaller currently ranks Kittle as the TE9 for upcoming drafts; however, if he is cleared to play Week 1, that will surely go up. He has finished in the top five at the position in six of the last eight seasons, and in the two seasons he didn't, he played in no more than 11 games.--Nicho Roessler
Source: Adam Schefter

Aug 16, 2026, 4:07 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) gave another positive update on his recovery Sunday. While doing his on-field rehab, Kittle told Matt Barrows that he's "hitting numbers I need to hit" and is "pretty close." Kittle remains on the active/PUP list and hasn't returned to team practice yet after tearing his right Achilles during San Francisco's Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January. He has been working off to the side throughout camp as he continues to build toward football activity. Kittle has made Week 1 his goal, although coming back that quickly from a January Achilles tear would be an aggressive timeline. The 32-year-old was still productive when healthy last season, catching 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. There is still another step to take before Kittle is practicing with his teammates, but his latest comments suggest the rehab continues to move in the right direction.--Bruno Mulé
Source: Matt Barrows

Aug 10, 2026, 7:46 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle (Achilles) "continues to make terrific progress" as he works his way back from the torn Achilles he suffered in the playoffs in January, and there's a "high level of confidence" at this point that he will be able to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The 32-year-old veteran remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list in training camp, but he was seen running routes, catching passes, and doing conditioning work before Monday's practice. It was the most extensive work that Kittle has done so far in camp, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, which gives hope for fantasy managers and the Niners that he'll be ready for the start of the season in September. When healthy, Kittle should continue to be one of quarterback Brock Purdy's most trusted aerial targets, especially with receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) already ruled out for the entire season. But because of his lengthy injury history and questionable availability for the start of the year, Kittle is no longer a high-end TE1 target in fantasy drafts, but rather a low-end TE1 target.--Keith Hernandez
Source: CBS Sports - Matt Zenitz

Aug 9, 2026, 11:12 AM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and his status for the season opener is unclear. Kittle suffered a torn Achilles in the NFC Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles and is only seven months post-surgery, having undergone the procedure in January. The seven-time Pro Bowler had another strong 2025 season, hauling in 57 of 69 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in just 11 games, averaging more than 12 half-PPR fantasy points per game. With the team beginning its season in Melbourne, Australia, in just over four weeks, Kittle will need to accelerate his recovery to be in the lineup against the division rival Los Angeles Rams. If Kittle is limited early or misses time, tight end Jake Tonges will be the primary replacement and had success in Kittle's absence in 2025.--Nathan Harvey
Source: Nick Wagoner - ESPN

Jul 27, 2026, 3:38 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (foot) was active during the team's first training camp practice Sunday, with 49ers.com reporting that quarterback Brock Purdy connected with him during team periods. The report did not include a target or reception total, so the early involvement should not be treated as evidence of a major role change. Tonges caught 34 passes for 293 yards and five touchdowns across 17 games in 2025 after entering the season without a regular-season NFL reception. Four of those touchdowns came from inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and San Francisco re-signed him to a two-year contract in March. Tonges could receive additional opportunities while George Kittle (Achilles) remains on the Active/PUP list, though Luke Farrell, Brayden Willis, and Tanner McLachlan are also part of the tight end room. Tonges is worth monitoring in deeper formats during Kittle's recovery, but one early camp connection with Purdy is not enough to establish a dependable fantasy role.--Bruno Mulé
Source: 49ers.com

Jul 26, 2026, 12:05 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Sunday that he doesn't think head coach Kyle Shanahan's injuries suffered in a recent car accident will prevent him from coaching the Sept. 10 regular-season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. "That's not what we're anticipating," Lynch said. "That's not what I've heard from the doctors. But just like we talked about with players, the timeline kind of takes care of itself. He's got to meet certain markers. But I think the expectation is that long before that he'll be better." Shanahan suffered a broken nose, three ribs, and his hand and needed more than 40 stitches in his face while also suffering a severe concussion on July 14 when his car collided with an SUV. He is recovering well but still has lingering concussion symptoms, according to Lynch. It will be a group effort to replace Shanahan early on in training camp, but assistant head coach Chris Foerster will assume some of his duties. Shanahan is heading into his 10th season with the team, which will tie him with Bill Walsh for the longest tenure by a head coach in franchise history.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter

Jul 25, 2026, 2:46 PM ET

The San Francisco 49ers placed tight end George Kittle (Achilles) on the Physically Unable to Perform list on Saturday for the start of training camp, according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports. Kittle is not ready to join the rest of his teammates for the start of camp after suffering a torn right Achilles tendon in the wild-card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles back in January. He is optimistic that he will be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but fantasy managers shouldn't be nearly as optimistic. The 49ers can activate Kittle from the PUP list at any time this summer. If the 32-year-old veteran is not ready for the beginning of the 2026 season, Jake Tonges will step in as the team's top pass-catching TE. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, is a risk/reward low-end TE1 target as he heads into his 10th year in the NFL. He'd be a massive value at the position if he returns to his pre-injury form, but the odds are against that, and he could miss the first couple of weeks of the 2026 season.--Keith Hernandez
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco

Jul 25, 2026, 12:40 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be limited in training camp after a July 14 car accident where he collided with an SUV near his Northern California home, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter and Nick Wagoner. Shanahan broke his nose, three ribs, and his hand, needed over 40 stitches in his face, and suffered a severe concussion. Drugs and alcohol were not involved, and both drivers were cooperative with police. Shanahan has been recovering at home and is believed to be healing well, but doctors won't clear him for full activities until concussion symptoms clear. The 49ers are set to kick off training camp on Sunday, so Shanahan will not be present for the first day of workouts. Assistant head coach and offensive line coach Chris Foerster will assume some of Shanahan's duties and help lead the team in camp until Shanahan is cleared to return. Shanahan enters the 2026 season with 82 regular-season victories, the third-most in franchise history. If he gets to 11 wins this year, he'll pass Bill Walsh for second on the list.--Keith Hernandez
Source: ESPN

Jul 22, 2026, 10:52 AM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges was targeted one time as an undrafted free agent in 2022 but had never caught a pass through his first three seasons in the league. However, he was called upon early in 2025 when five-time All-Pro George Kittle went down in Week 1 with a hamstring injury that cost him significant time, and Tonges became a steadying fantasy presence through his knack for finding the end zone. More than 11.6% of his targets went for touchdowns in 2025. While that is likely an unsustainable rate for a player who went nearly 36 months between his first and second career targets, Tonges could again find himself in a critical role to start the year, depending on Kittle's early-season availability as he attempts to return from the January Achilles tear sustained in a Wild Card win over the Eagles. While all reports have suggested that Kittle's recovery has gone exceedingly well, Tonges will have the opportunity to continue developing chemistry with Brock Purdy and the first-team offense when the 49ers hold their first practice of training camp on Sunday. His role in the red zone will also be worth paying attention to after San Francisco acquired six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans through free agency. Tonges is not ranked among RotoBaller's top 300 players for 2026, but he could find himself in the early-season streaming conversation if Kittle is less than a full-go to begin the year.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 15, 2026, 4:47 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges gave fantasy managers a useful preview of what he can do when George Kittle is missing. In the six games Kittle sat last season, Tonges caught 29 passes for 269 yards and three touchdowns. The other 11 games produced five catches for 24 yards. That is about as clean as it gets. San Francisco brought Tonges back on a two-year deal, so he should again handle most of the receiving work if Kittle is not ready. Kittle is targeting Week 1 after tearing his right Achilles in the playoffs, but no return date is locked in. Tonges could have some early streaming value if the recovery stretches into September. Once Kittle is back, though, the role can vanish in a hurry. At 27 and TE38 in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, Tonges makes sense for contenders that need Kittle insurance or short-term depth. Rebuilders do not need to chase a player whose value depends almost entirely on someone else's rehab.--Bruno Mulé
Source: RotoBaller

Jul 14, 2026, 4:10 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) is ahead of schedule in his return from a torn Achilles during the playoffs last season, and he could be ready for the start of training camp later this month, according to Vic Tafur of The Athletic. Kittle spent a lot of time on an anti-gravity treadmill at home during the offseason and was doing some light cutting in workouts three weeks ago. "I'm 21 weeks out, and I'm running over 16 miles an hour, so I'm having a great time," Kittle said. "Single-leg box jumps, we're cutting again, we're having some fun." We'll have a better idea of the veteran tight end's availability for the Week 1 season opener in Australia against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams once training camp begins, but for now, fantasy managers should view him as an injury-prone, risk/reward, low-end TE1 in fantasy. The 32-year-old former fifth-rounder from the University of Iowa in 2017 played in only 11 regular-season games in 2025 due to injuries and caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in his ninth year in the league. Betting on an aging player coming off an Achilles tear usually isn't a smart strategy.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Vic Tafur

Jun 23, 2026, 9:05 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said on Tuesday that he is "definitely on track" to be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2026 regular season in early September, according to David Lombardi of The San Francisco Standard. Kittle said nothing is 100% certain right now, but he said, "I have a chance." The 32-year-old seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro said he hasn't had any setbacks in his recovery from the torn Achilles tendon he suffered in the postseason loss on Jan. 11, and he told NBC Sports' Florito Maniego that he is "running over 16 mph." Kittle did not practice with the rest of the team during organized team activities or mandatory minicamp during the spring, but that could change come training camp this summer. The nine-year veteran has four 1,000-yard receiving seasons in his career and has scored 52 touchdowns in 124 regular-season games, but durability concerns make him a pretty big fantasy risk as he heads into Year 10. Kittle played in just 11 regular-season games in 2025 and caught 57 passes for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 targets. Because we don't know for sure whether he'll be a full-go for Week 1, fantasy managers should consider him as more of a high-end TE2 in upcoming drafts.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The San Francisco Standard - David Lombardi

Jun 22, 2026, 12:48 PM ET

After failing to record a single reception across his first 20 NFL games, San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges finished the 2025 season with 34 catches for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets across 17 games. The vast majority of Tonges' production came in the six games that superstar 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) missed due to injury. With Kittle entering his age-33 season and coming off a torn Achilles that he suffered in January, Tonges could easily find himself playing a prominent role in the 49ers' passing game once again in 2026. However, the latest reporting on Kittle indicates that he is on track to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season. Across the 11 games where both Kittle and Tonges were active in 2025, Tonges played more than eight snaps just twice. Tonges could be worth stashing in deeper dynasty formats, but his production upside in San Francisco is virtually non-existent as long as Kittle can stay on the field.--Will Brady
Source: RotoBaller

Jun 4, 2026, 4:27 PM ET

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) said he is "on track" to be ready for Week 1 of the 2026 season, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. Kittle tore his Achilles tendon on January 11 during San Francisco's NFC Wild Card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it appears as though the 32-year-old has a chance to get back on the field roughly eight months after the injury. Kittle battled through an injury-marred 2025 regular season even before the Achilles tear, missing six games due to ankle and hamstring injuries. However, the veteran tight end remained highly productive when healthy, recording 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns on 69 targets. With Kittle coming off a serious injury and entering his age-33 campaign, it's fair to project a bit of decline in his production. Still, he profiles as a top-12 fantasy tight end if he can truly make it back for the start of 2026.--Will Brady
Source: ESPN - Nick Wagoner