George Kittle Takes a Backseat as 49ers Go Run-Heavy
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle caught four of his seven targets for 58 yards during Sunday's Week 9 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. This isn't a bad stat line by any means, but it was somewhat modest when you consider that the 49ers dropped 38 points and 414 total yards of offense. San Francisco demonstrated a clear commitment to running the ball; head coach Kyle Shanahan said that he wanted to run the ball 40 times on Sunday, and indeed, the team finished with 43 rush attempts. We expect Kittle to return to his mid-to-high TE1 form next week, especially with the 49ers dealing with plenty of injuries at the wide receiver position. The physical pass-catcher has the opportunity to continue operating as Brock Purdy's favorite target if Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) are forced to miss more time.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle In Smash Spot Against Raiders
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle operated as the team's primary receiver with Mike Evans (Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) both on the shelf in Week 7. Kittle saw a team-high 10 targets in the surprise loss to the Falcons, catching eight passes for 88 yards. The tight end now leads the team (or is tied for the lead) in targets, receiving yards, and receptions and ranks fourth at his position in PPR points per game (14.9). On Sunday, Kittle will be prominently featured in the 49ers' offense with Evans and Samuel both ruled out once again. San Francisco's Week 9 opponent, the Raiders, have given up the second-most receptions, second-most touchdowns, and fourth-most PPR points per game to opposing tight ends. Kittle is projected as a TE1 and should be locked into fantasy lineups on Sunday.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Sees Fantasy Value Climb After Big Showings
San Francisco tight end George Kittle was already a high-end fantasy football asset, but some big showings of late have only increased his fantasy value overall. He was on a bye in Week 8, but went for 88 yards on eight receptions and 10 targets in Week 7 against the Falcons. His role should remain high in Week 9, as the Niners are dealing with a multitude of injuries. Kittle has at least four targets in all seven of his games played this season, and he has gone over 65 receiving yards in all but two contests. Throw in five touchdown grabs already and he's been a top-level fantasy TE. He has a great fantasy matchup against Las Vegas in Week 9, and he sits as TE2 in our RotoBaller projections for the week as a result. He is a confident starting option every week, especially in these favorable matchups.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
George Kittle In Line For Big Week Against Falcons
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has finished in the top seven at his position in four out of six games, scoring at least 17.0 PPR points in each of those contests. In Week 6, he caught five passes for 65 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. Only Christian McCaffrey got more looks with Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) out and Mike Evans leaving injured just before halftime. Both wide receivers have been ruled out for San Francisco's Week 7 game against the Falcons, positioning Kittle for a high-volume game. Atlanta has given up the seventh-most receptions and ninth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Through six weeks, Kittle leads tight ends in touchdowns with five, has the fourth-most receiving yards, and is the overall TE3 in fantasy. He is projected as a TE1 and should be locked into the starting lineup for Week 7.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Consistently Finding the End Zone
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has emerged as the overall TE3 in PPR scoring this season with five touchdowns over his last five games. Kittle was limited in Week 1 due to his Achilles recovery, but ever since then, he has been a steady high-end TE1 option for fantasy football. In fact, from Weeks 2-6, he ranks as the highest-scoring tight end in PPR leagues. For several years now, the Iowa product has been a fantastic fantasy option because of his physicality and nose for the end zone. He offers versatility in the Niners' offense, as he ranks second among NFL tight ends in red zone targets but also third in deep target share. Meanwhile, his 0.65 fantasy points per route run ranks second-best among tight ends this season. As long as he can stay healthy, Kittle will continue to be a high-end TE1 and should be started in all leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle In Smash Spot In Week 6
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle's production took a big step back in Week 5, when he caught five of his six targets for a mere 24 receiving yards. It was a disappointment after a three-week stretch where he averaged 77.3 receiving yards and scored at least one touchdown in each game. Kittle could be in for a major rebound in Week 6. For starters, the 49ers will face the Washington Commanders, who have rank in the bottom five in fantasy points, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns allowed to opposing tight ends. Secondly, given the spate of injuries in San Francisco's wide receiver room, Kittle is in line to see more time as Brock Purdy's first read. As usual, Kittle is among the top options at tight end this week and should be a lock for fantasy lineups.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Maintaining Top-Five Status with Remarkable Snap Share
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle occupied a limited role back in Week 1, but across the four weeks since then, he has ranked as the overall TE2 in half-PPR scoring (behind only Brock Bowers). A high snap share has been a primary factor in Kittle's success; he has played in at least 85% of the snaps in each of his last three games, and at least 90% of the snaps in each of his last two games. The 33-year-old has yet to catch more than six passes in a game this season, but he consistently gets on the field and gets looks from quarterback Brock Purdy. Plus, he's a major weapon around the goal line with four touchdowns over his last four games. Kittle will maintain his top-five status for as long as he stays healthy, starting with a Week 6 contest against the Washington Commanders, who most recently surrendered 11 catches, 94 yards, and two touchdowns to Isaiah Likely.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Quiet While Playing Through Illness
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (illness) was uncertain coming into Week 5, but was eventually cleared to play against the Seattle Seahawks. He finished with five receptions on six targets for 24 yards in the win over the Seahawks. Kittle was active for this game, but his illness likely played a role in his poor performance. The 49ers lost wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (hamstring) during this game, so Kittle could be asked to do even more next week against the Washington Commanders. The star tight end still had a season-high five receptions during this game, so it wasn't a complete disaster. He'll remain a top-tier tight end in Week 6.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
George Kittle Active vs. Seahawks
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (illness) is cleared to play in Week 5 against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, the team announced via the X platform on Sunday. Kittle was initially listed as having an illness, but was not on the inactive list an hour before kickoff against the Seahawks in Seattle. The veteran TE has tallied at least 70 yards in each of his last three games and has four touchdowns on the season. Kittle remains one of Brock Purdy's favorite targets and a key part of San Francisco's offense. He remains a high-end TE1 and a must-start against a tough divisional opponent.
Source: San Francisco 49ers via X.com
Source: San Francisco 49ers via X.com
George Kittle has an Illness, Expected to Play on Sunday
According to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (illness) has an illness but is expected to play. Fantasy managers should keep monitoring his status leading up to kickoff, but he appears to be cleared to suit up. After a slow start to the season in Week 1, Kittle has since found his footing, tallying at least 70 yards in each of his last three games. Additionally, Kittle has punched in four touchdowns during this three-game stretch and caught at least four passes in each. Even with a tough matchup against the potent Seahawks defense, Kittle profiles as a high-end TE1 and a must-start in all leagues if given a full set of snaps. If Kittle is limited, Deebo Samuel Sr. and Mike Evans should see an even bigger target share.
Source: Matt Maiocco
Source: Matt Maiocco
George Kittle Remains Top Option Against Seattle
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle's playmaking in Week 4 served as another reason for fantasy managers to no longer worry about the Achilles injury that he suffered in last season's playoffs. Late in the fourth quarter, Kittle caught a pass underneath and then carved his way through Broncos defenders for a 56-yard touchdown, putting the game out of reach. It was his fourth touchdown in the last three weeks and gave him his third consecutive top-10 finish at his position in fantasy football. Kittle and the 49ers have a divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on tap for Week 5. Seattle's defense is among the best in the league, but in Week 2 the Cardinals found a way to get Trey McBride eight catches and a touchdown. San Francisco will need to keep Kittle involved to compete with the Seahawks on Sunday. Despite the challenging matchup, Kittle is a must-start.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Amidst 49ers WR Injuries, George Kittle Emerging As Excellent Buy Target
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is emerging as one of the better buy-low players in all of fantasy football this season. The torn Achilles tendon he suffered last season depressed his draft value markedly, yet he's scored double-digit PPR fantasy points in his last three games. He was limited in Week 1, with just a 46 percent snap share on offense, but those numbers skyrocketed to 85 percent in Week 3 and 91 percent in Week 4. He's now playing without restrictions in an offense that's seen many of their pass-catchers get injured. WRs Ricky Pearsall (knee), Demarcus Robinson (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf), and Brandon Aiyuk (did not report) haven't been able to contribute on offense in recent weeks, leaving Kittle and WR Mike Evans (ribs) as the team's top passing game targets. Kittle's film doesn't show any obvious injury issues, and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is playing incredibly so far, with 11 touchdown passes and just one interception. San Francisco's passing offense is humming, and Kittle has the most upside of any TE not named Trey McBride. Buying him now makes sense if you can still get a decent price on him in any fantasy leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
George Kittle A Top Option In Week 4
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle put any lingering concerns about his Achilles to bed with his performance in Week 3. Kittle played a big role in the 49ers' 36-30 win, catching six of his seven targets for 82 receiving yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Kittle is the most likely candidate to emerge as Brock Purdy's primary target in Week 4, as injuries to San Francisco's wide receiver corps keep piling up. Mike Evans (ribs) is listed as questionable and is considered a game-time decision. His absence would afford Kittle a few extra looks. In Week 4, San Francisco hosts the Denver Broncos, who gave up eight receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown to the Rams' Tyler Higbee last week. In PPR scoring, Kittle is the overall TE5 and is averaging 15.8 fantasy points per game. He is projected as a top-five tight end for Week 4, and should be in starting lineups this weekend.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
George Kittle Has Been the Top-Scoring Tight End Since Returning to Full Health
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been an elite fantasy option in the two weeks since he returned to being 100% healthy. Kittle had a limited role in the season opener since it was his first game back from an Achilles injury, but over the last two weeks, he ranks as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues with 10 catches, 162 yards, and three touchdowns. His fantasy stock has benefitted from injuries at other positions, with wide receiver Mike Evans (ribs) up in the air for Week 4 and Demarcus Robinson (ankle), De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), and Christian Kirk (calf) all on injured reserve. The 49ers are 3-0 and firing on all cylinders offensively, so Kittle should be able to sustain his top-tier fantasy value even as the receivers work back to full health. He should be treated as a high-end TE1 heading into Week 4 against the Broncos.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Scores Twice as Niners' WR Group Adds More Injuries
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is now the WR1 in the Bay Area after more injuries to the team's wide receiving corps in Sunday's 36-30 win over the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. With veteran wideout Mike Evans (ribs, chest) going down with a painful injury in Week 3, the 32-year-old Kittle took over through the air, leading the team with six receptions, seven targets, 82 yards, and two touchdowns to help the team stay undefeated in 2026. The Niners already have Ricky Pearsall (knee), rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle), Christian Kirk (calf), and Demarcus Robinson (ankle) on Injured Reserve, and Evans could be in line to miss time going forward as well. That would really thin out the team's receiving depth, helping to give Kittle a pretty massive target share going into a Week 4 contest at home against the Denver Broncos. Kittle, a seven-time Pro Bowler, was eased into the Week 1 win over the division-rival Los Angeles Rams in his first game back from an Achilles tear suffered in the postseason in January. He caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins. Kittle is a must-start, high-end TE1 with San Francisco's receiving weapons dwindling.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
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