San Francisco finally got a break today, with veteran tight end George Kittle officially activated from the physically unable to perform, or PUP, list. After rehabbing a torn Achilles suffered way back in an NFC wild card-round win against the Philadelphia Eagles, Kittle’s return was recently reported “ahead of schedule.” This is massive news for a team looking to get their stars ready for the regular season kickoff against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, on September 10.
Kittle’s Return Brings a Spark
It’s been a long road back for Kittle, but getting off the PUP list is a huge step. Coach Kyle Shanahan has been managing his return carefully, noting how they’ve kept Kittle to “non-competitive periods” during practice, just working on “routes on air” with quarterbacks and the O-line. Shanahan is really hoping Kittle can jump into full practices next week after their mandatory three days off. The big question now is whether Kittle can actually suit up for that Week 1 matchup against the Rams. Getting him back on the field, even in a limited capacity, would be a huge psychological boost for the Niners.
Wideout Woes and Bosa’s Comeback Trail
While Kittle is on the mend, the 49ers’ wide receiver room is taking some hits. Offseason pickup Mike Evans, who everyone’s been waiting to see, sat out Tuesday’s practice with tightness in his groin. Shanahan confirmed Evans was just doing some throwing and catching on the sidelines and hopes to get him back next week, too. That’s not all for the pass-catchers, either. Christian Kirk, who signed a one-year, $6 million deal, has been dealing with a calf injury, and Shanahan even hinted that it’s “possible” Kirk could land on injured reserve. That’s a brutal blow for their depth.
On the defensive side, there’s a glimpse of hope for five-time Pro Bowler Nick Bosa. He’s been working his way back from an ACL injury he picked up in the 2025 season. Shanahan sounds optimistic, telling reporters Bosa is “doing good” and that he hopes to see him in practice next week. Getting Bosa back would be huge for their pass rush. Other guys are banged up, though: quarterback Kurtis Rourke suffered three broken ribs, rookie edge rusher Romello Height has an ankle injury, and defensive lineman Mykel Williams and running back Isaac Guerendo are still stuck on the PUP list.
So, the 49ers are heading into their final preseason game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday, August 27, still sorting through a bunch of injury questions. With the regular season just three weeks away, kicking off across the globe, getting these key players healthy and on the field is the absolute top priority. We’ll be watching to see who actually makes it to Melbourne.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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