'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
George Kittle has been a vital part of both the San Francisco 49ers' offense and many fantasy teams for a couple of seasons. The All-Pro tight end is in his seventh season in the league and is poised to make a big impact in 2023.
Last season, Kittle reached double-digit receiving touchdowns for the first time with 11, which led the team. He finished third in receptions with 60 and second in receiving yards with 765.
Those numbers prove that Kittle could be a viable fantasy option this season despite catching passes from a new starting quarterback. However, the offense of Kyle Shanahan is unpredictable, so it remains to be seen if Kittle can reach that 10+ touchdown mark again.
Also read: Amon-Ra St Brown Week 1 Injury Update
George Kittle Injury Update
The San Francisco 49ers star has dealt with numerous injuries in recent seasons.
He missed the first two games of last season with a groin strain. In 2021, he suffered a calf strain and was later placed on injury reserve. Before that, Kittle dealt with various injuries to his knees.
San Francisco general manager and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Lynch gave an update on the tight end's most recent groin injury to KNBR in San Francisco:
“I think there’s always concern when something persists, and this has kind of lingered. George usually has about one of these things a year, and then once he gets through it, he’s good. And so, knock on wood that’s the case."
The update seems promising as it gives optimism to 49ers fans to see No. 85 out there against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Missing the first two games of last season did nothing to minimize his impact on the offense. It could be a wait-and-see situation for Kittle for Week 1, as missing this game is a possibility.
Also read: Jaylen Waddle Week 1 Injury Report
What happened to George Kittle?
Kittle suffered a groin injury last month. While he is participating in practice, he has had no physical contact yet. The injury is uncommon, but at age 29, these could prove to be long-term issues.
The grade of the groin injury remains unknown. Normal movement like walking is a possibility within a couple of days. For a Grade 2 injury, complete recovery takes three to six weeks.
A Grade 3 strain is when the majority or all of the muscle is torn. The muscle can take over three months to completely repair. It seems like Kittle's strain is neither Grade 2 nor 3.
Looking at last season, his numbers were a mixed bag, as he had a target share of 17.1%. This is an ideal percentage for most players, but not for players of Kittle's caliber.
It was a drop from getting at least 24% of target shares over the previous four seasons. His 86 targets were the third-fewest of his career and his 69.8 catch percentage was just the third time he was under 70% in his career.
The new 49ers starting quarterback, Brock Purdy, enjoyed finding Kittle in his five starts last season. Kittle had 22 receptions for 293 yards and seven touchdowns with a 68.6 catch percentage in those games.
Also read: Miles Sanders Week 1 Injury Update
When will George Kittle return?
There's a chance that Kittle could play in Week 1, unless the 49ers hold him out as a precautionary measure. Missing the Steelers game could have an impact on what Shanahan and the 49ers do offensively.
They will likely lean on Christian McCaffrey and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel.
McCaffrey is a do-it-all running back who had a total of 1,210 yards in 11 games for San Francisco last season. He led the team with 746 rushing yards, and was fourth in receiving yards with 464. He also had 10 total touchdowns.
Aiyuk and Samuel are the team's two best receiving targets outside of George Kittle.
Both combined for 41.3% of the targets and were responsible for 39.6% of the receptions. Brock Purdy won't be short of weapons against Pittsburgh, but having Kittle would be a massive help.
The Steelers allowed the ninth-most targets (122) to tight ends last season. They allowed the 11th most yards to tight ends with 897. Not having Kittle out there means more pressure on McCaffrey, Aiyuk and Samuel to produce.
We'll know more about Kittle's status closer to Week 1.
