George Kittle injury update: 49ers TE gives latest on recovery process
George Kittle injury update: 49ers TE gives latest on recovery process
Nick Brinkerhoff, USA TODAYTue, March 17, 2026 at 6:53 PM UTC
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George Kittle knew something was wrong.
It has been a few months since the San Francisco 49ers tight end suffered a torn Achilles during the team's wild-card weekend matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. At the time, it represented a crushing blow to the 49ers' Super Bowl dreams and, potentially, the 2026 season.
Carted off the field in Philadelphia, Kittle's torn Achilles was just the latest in what was a long list of injuries for the team in 2025.
The tight end spoke about what took place in that moment during an appearance on the "Bussin' With The Boys" podcast, which is hosted by Will Compton and Taylor Lewan.
"I knew it before I even hit the ground," Kittle said of when the injury happened. As he laid on the ground, Kyle Juszczyk approached him, but Kittle made a request.
"Get me a cart," Kittle said of what he told Juszczyk. "I'm not walking this one off, bud."
Kittle later elaborated on a previous injury that he thinks could have contributed to the Achilles tear.
"My biggest thing that I thought it was, when I played the Colts on Monday Night Football [in Week 16], I tore like two ligaments in my ankle," Kittle said. "And then, I hurt it again because I kept playing on it. And so, then, I was very lopsided – or I was compensating really bad.
"So, I think it was a I think that was a big part of it, too. I was compensating for the last three weeks on one ankle, so all the weight was on my right side, and I was basically running, everything was on my right side. Then, plus, it was a weird position."
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It's not all bad, however. Kittle offered some positive updates on the recovery process and where he is currently. Here's the latest on the 49ers star.
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George Kittle injury update
Kittle, and his doctors, are pleased with the recovery process to this point.
"Doing great actually," Kittle said, when asked how it's going. "I'm on and off of crutches. Got out of a boot like two weeks ago, which was thrilling because being in a boot is horrible, but got out of that. I'm in these awesome dad shoes with heel lifts in ... I can kind of function around my house without crutches. I just can't be on my feet all day, but it's coming along. The rehab is going great."
The 32-year-old added that there is some additional good news on the horizon.
"My trajectory is fantastic," he said. "I think I get off of crutches in like a week or two."
When asked about the details of the injury, Kittle said he was told this was the best-case scenario.
"Because you tore your Achilles, this is the best case scenario," Kittle said of what the 49ers' team doctor told him. "For what you did, how you tore it, where you tore it – it couldn't have been any better. You got super lucky."
The tight end said that since his tear was higher, the surgeon didn't have to do any work on the bone. Kittle noted that he has been told he will be able to play plenty of football next season.
In the immediate aftermath, there was a question if Kittle would be able to play in 2026. Now that question seems to center more on when he'll return than on whether.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Kittle provides update on recovery from torn Achilles injury
Source: “AOL Sports”
