George Kittle, the tight end who’s been sidelined for over seven months with a torn Achilles, finally hit the practice field for the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, just as Christian McCaffrey made his return after a two-week absence. This double dose of star power immediately cranked up the energy, even if Kittle is still easing his way back from a major injury.
Kittle’s Comeback and McCaffrey’s Master Plan
Kittle’s return to practice marks his first time on the field since tearing his Achilles tendon on January 11. The five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler was activated from the PUP list, which means, barring any setbacks, he’s expected back in a game sometime within the first four weeks of the season. On Sunday, Kittle worked through individual drills only, sitting out any team 11-on-11 periods. This is a slow roll-out for a guy who hasn’t played football in over half a year, but it’s a start.
Meanwhile, McCaffrey’s return after a two-week break was apparently all part of a grand plan. He told reporters that his absence was “kind of part of the plan from the jump,” designed to “ramp up pretty big, get nine, 10 practices in. Then, come back down and then ramp back up so we’re fresh for the duration.” McCaffrey acknowledged the media “firestorm” that erupted, but he’s clearly looking at the long game.
High Energy and Friendly Fire on the Field
McCaffrey wasn’t just jogging through drills; he immediately jumped into 11-on-11 snaps. He carried the ball three times, breaking one run to the right for a roughly 25-yard gain. “I feel fresh,” McCaffrey declared, adding, “It’s good to be back out there.” Both McCaffrey and Kittle were in uniform for Sunday’s practice, providing a much-needed jolt of energy.
While all eyes were on the returning stars, other guys were making noise too. Tight end Jake Tonges had another impressive day, prolific for the second straight day, snagging back-to-back sideline catches from quarterback Purdy. Tonges is looking like the guy who would “likely” start at tight end if Kittle isn’t ready for the Week 1 opener. And talk about making an impact: another player, simply identified as “Black,” had an impressive practice with at least two big runs. His hard-charging style, however, also created a “friendly fire moment” when he plowed straight into the back of 300-pound center Jake Brendel, sending him face-first to the ground! Brendel shook it off, though, and was back for the next play. The 49ers also traded for a veteran linebacker who played under Kyle Shanahan and Raheem Morris.
With offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak talking to reporters after Sunday’s training camp, the next big test for the 49ers is their upcoming preseason game against the Raiders. The biggest questions for them? Just how quickly Kittle can get up to full speed and whether Tonges is truly ready to step up if needed for Week 1.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Niners Nation.
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