George Kittle Set to Return for 49ers in Crucial NFC Showdown vs. Falcons

The San Francisco 49ers (4-2) will host the Atlanta Falcons (3-2) on Sunday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

George Kittle Set to Return for 49ers in Crucial NFC Showdown vs. Falcons

George Kittle (Image via IMAGO)

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There’s no doubt that the San Francisco 49ers are among the teams with the most injuries, with many starters out since the beginning of the season. But they might be able to breathe a sigh of relief this week.

The Niners received a promising injury update regarding TE George Kittle, who’s reportedly set to return to action against the Atlanta Falcons. The tight end told reporters on Thursday that he expects to play Sunday night against the Falcons after being a limited participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.

With his 21-day practice window now open, Kittle is cautiously working his way back from injury. The tight end emphasized that he won’t rush his return until he’s completely healthy, though he admitted the final call on whether he suits up Sunday rests with head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle said during Thursday’s presser:

I fully plan on playing Sunday. As long as [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] lets me. It’s up to him. But hopefully I’m out there, which I think I will be.

Kittle has been sidelined since the season opener in the second quarter with 10:06 left. The 49ers then placed him on injured reserve with a right hamstring injury. He told reporters that the hamstring was completely torn but hadn’t separated from the bone.

I just felt like a rubber band snapped in my hamstring. I was like ‘Ah, I’ve just got to go to the locker room after that one.’

The five games Kittle has missed this season mark his longest absence since 2020, when injuries sidelined him for eight games. In Kittle’s absence, 26-year-old Jake Tonges has stepped up, tallying 25 receptions for 224 yards and three touchdowns. He also hauled in the game-winning catch against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1.

Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall stays out of Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons for the 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers have confirmed that quarterback Brock Purdy (toe) and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) have been officially ruled out for Week 7. The Falcons marked Purdy’s third consecutive absence as resurgent Mac Jones will make his fifth start of the season.

Brock Purdy
Brock Purdy (Image via Getty Images)

After being limited in Wednesday’s session with knee and oblique issues, Jones was a full participant in the final two practices and enters Sunday’s matchup without an injury designation. Head coach Kyle Shanahan commended Jones’ improvement during the week, noting that the quarterback has made significant progress and is well ahead of where he was last week.

Though Purdy has been limited and will be out of action this week, Purdy may be back sooner than later. Shanahan provided an update, saying:

Brock is more limited than Mac. Brock is handling it right, like he does everything. I know he’s itching to get back.

Pearsall will miss his third consecutive game as he continues to recover from a PCL strain in his right knee, an injury he sustained in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his four appearances this season, he has recorded 20 receptions for 327 yards but has yet to find the end zone.

In his absence, the 49ers will rely on Jauan Jennings, Skyy Moore, and Kendrick Bourne to anchor the receiving corps, while also anticipating the return of tight end George Kittle from injured reserve. Additionally, wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling sustained a calf injury earlier this week and is expected to be sidelined for some time.

Meanwhile, cornerback Upton Stout injured his ankle on the final play of Thursday’s practice, leaving his status for Week 7 listed as questionable.

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