San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury sustained during Sunday’s 17-13 win at the Seattle Seahawks.
Six-time Pro Bowl selection Kittle will miss the 49ers’ game at the New Orleans Saints on September 14, home games against the Arizona Cardinals a week later and the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 28 and trip to the Los Angeles Rams on October 3.
The earliest the 31-year-old could return is at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week six on October 12.
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George Kittle: 49ers injuries
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday that he was unsure whether Kittle would need to be on injured reserve.
Shanahan added that lineman Ben Bartch would be monitored “day to day” with a mild knee sprain, while wide receiver Jauan Jennings and quarterback Brock Purdy have shoulder injuries.
Kittle made four catches for 25 yards and scored a touchdown against the Seahawks. Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are the 49ers’ like-for-like replacement options.
George Kittle contract
Drafted as a fifth-round pick in 2017, Kittle moved a step closer to spending his entire NFL career with the 49ers by signing a new contract in April.
The four-year, $76.4 million extension includes $40m in guaranteed money and is expected to significantly reduce his projected 2025 salary cap hit of more than $22m.
Everyone needs a teammate like George. pic.twitter.com/Mdf8nka9KP
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) August 24, 2025
Kittle, who turns 31 this year, has made no secret of his desire to stay in San Francisco “until the wheels fall off.”
Entering his ninth season in 2025, Kittle needs one more campaign to join the 51 players who have spent more than 10 years with San Francisco since 1946.
In 2024, Kittle amassed 1,106 receiving yards – third-most among NFL tight ends – along with eight touchdowns (tied for second).
That dominance earned him a sixth Pro Bowl selection and he joined an elite group of tight ends – Travis Kelce, Rob Gronkowski, Tony Gonzalez, and Jason Witten – as one of five to log at least four 1,000-yard seasons.
He also surpassed Gronkowski for the second-most receiving yards by a tight end through eight NFL seasons, trailing only Kelce.
George Kittle career: ‘Unique and special’
“In 2017, our first year with the 49ers, we selected a skinny tight end from Iowa whom we were really excited about,” president of football operations and general manager John Lynch said when Kittle’s deal was announced.
“We had high hopes, but no one knew that he would become the player that he is today. George’s leadership, enthusiasm for the game, for his teammates, and the Faithful are truly unique and special.
“He is an outstanding representation for the 49ers on the field and is an outstanding representative for the organization off the field with his investment in the local and military communities.
“He has a great sense of pride in his role and has put in the work to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL.”
