The injury bug has bitten the 49ers offense to start 2024.
RB Christian McCaffrey surprisingly missed Week 1 and was recently placed on IR, forcing San Fransisco to turn to RB2 Jordan Mason. Then WR Deebo Samuel went down, as he’s reportedly dealing with a calf injury that will keep him sidelined for a few games. That left WR Brandon Aiyuk and TE George Kittle as the 49ers’ two big-name offensive weapons remaining.
However, on Thursday afternoon, news was shared that Kittle is also dealing with some injury issues. San Francisco is coming off a loss to the Vikings in Week 2 and is now preparing for a beat-up Rams team in Week 3.
Here are the latest updates on Kittle’s injury status, his chances of playing in Week 3, and his fantasy outlook.
Is George Kittle playing Week 3? Injury update, latest news on 49ers TE
The 49ers announced Saturday that Kittle was downgraded to out for Sunday’s game against the Rams. He will not play in Week 3.
Kittle didn’t participate in practice for the second day in a row on Friday and went into the weekend listed as doubtful with a hamstring issue, according to Ian Rapoport.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Kittle was “experiencing tightness in his hamstring” and didn’t practice, which originally put his availability for the 49ers in question.
In another post, Schefter included Kittle’s name in the group of players that Sunday’s game is “likely to be without.”
The 49ers and Rams play on Sunday in Los Angeles, and the game is likely to be without Christian McCaffrey, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Steve Avila, Jonah Jackson, amongst others.
It’s Week 3.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 19, 2024
With his “out” designation official, San Fransisco will be forced to look elsewhere for offensive production.
In a game already likely without WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua for the Rams plus McCaffrey and Samuel for the 49ers, Kittle’s absence will essentially force both teams to involve depth pieces on offense.
Should you start George Kittle in Week 3? Fantasy outlook vs. Rams
With Kittle now ruled out, he should be removed from fantasy starting lineups in Week 3. It isn’t clear whether or not he’ll be ready for Week 4.
The tight end position can be a difficult one to stream, but if available, some options to replace Kittle this week include Mike Gesicki, Jonnu Smith, Zach Ertz, and Pat Freiermuth.
When he’s on the field, Kittle has remained one of the most consistently productive players at the position. In Week 1, he had 40 yards on four receptions, and in Week 2, he had 76 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel as potential options, 49ers QB Brock Purdy would have likely leaned on Kittle as a go-to target next to Aiyuk, but instead, he’ll be without another weapon.
If Kittle returns to action in Week 4, he should be started in fantasy. However, make sure you have another tight end in your lineup this week.
WEEK 3 FANTASY RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
49ers injury report
Kittle is yet another on a growing list of San Fransisco players who are currently dealing with injuries, including some that came into the year on the reserve/PUP list. Below is a look at all the injuries the 49ers are dealing with heading with into Week 3.
49ers TE depth chart
With Kittle’s now out for Week 3, here’s a look at the 49ers’ tight end depth chart this season.
Rank Player 1 George Kittle 2 Eric Saubert 3 Jake Tonges
No. 1: George Kittle
Kittle remains one of the game’s best overall tight ends. In 2023, he totaled 1,020 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 16 games.
He won’t play vs. the Rams, but he’ll remain a top target for Brock Purdy when he returns to the field.
No. 2 Eric Saubert
Now on his sixth team of his seven-year career, Saubert has jumped around the NFL as a depth piece at tight end.
He has 318 receiving yards and two touchdowns over 74 career games. Saubert will take over as TE1 for San Fransisco in Kittle’s absence, but receivers like Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings will likely take priority over him as targets in the passing game.
No. 3: Jake Tonges
Tonges’ only NFL experience so far has come with the Bears in 2022 when he appeared in four games and garnered just one target.
Without Kittle, Tonges won’t step into the starting role, but there’s a chance he gest a few snaps to give Saubert some rest on Sunday.