George Kittle is back — and the San Francisco 49ers are getting one of their biggest offensive weapons in time for their season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne. The star tight end carries no game-status designation roughly eight months after tearing his right Achilles.
Breaking: 49ers TE George Kittle is off the injury report and scheduled to return to play tonight in Australia against the Rams, per @AdamSchefter and @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/v2PDukxtw1
— ESPN (@espn) September 10, 2026
Kittle was limited in all three practices in Melbourne, but he was not listed as questionable, doubtful or out. Barring an unexpected pregame change, he is set to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
Kittle completes remarkable eight-month comeback
Kittle tore his right Achilles on January 11 during San Francisco’s 23-19 Wild Card victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He underwent surgery three days later, immediately raising questions about how much of the 2026 season he could miss.
Kittle later explained that his tear was higher on the Achilles near the soleus and that surgeons did not need to drill into his heel. He said the location offered better blood flow around the repaired area, providing optimism during his recovery.
By summer, Kittle had an ambitious target: Week 1 against the Rams in Australia.
49ers give Kittle the green light
Kittle opened training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list before progressing to high-speed running and football-specific work. The 49ers activated him from PUP on August 23 and gradually increased his workload.
The biggest confirmation arrived on the 49ers’ final injury report. Despite being limited throughout the Melbourne practice week because of his Achilles, Kittle received no game-status designation.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has indicated San Francisco will still be smart with Kittle. His snap count, routes and blocking assignments could therefore be managed in his first competitive game since January.
Purdy gets a major weapon back
Kittle’s return is a significant boost for quarterback Brock Purdy. Despite playing only 11 regular-season games in 2025, Kittle recorded 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
He also enjoyed success against Los Angeles last season, catching nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown in their November 9 meeting.
Kittle’s value extends beyond receiving. His blocking gives Shanahan greater flexibility to disguise running and passing plays while keeping one of the NFL’s most dangerous tight ends on the field.
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Nick Bosa also cleared to face Rams
San Francisco received another major boost with Nick Bosa also carrying no game-status designation after being limited in Melbourne because of his knee. Christian McCaffrey is available as well, giving the 49ers several of their biggest stars for the NFC West matchup.
The wider opening-week schedule also features the Patriots vs Seahawks showdown, another headline NFL matchup as the new season gets underway.
49ers suffer defensive injury blow
The news is not entirely positive. Defensive lineman Alfred Collins is out for the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon during practice in Melbourne. James Thompson Jr. is questionable with a hamstring injury.
Luke Gifford, Renardo Green, Dre Greenlaw, Gracen Halton and Romello Height have no game designations, while Kyle Juszczyk is also cleared despite being limited by a finger issue.
Historic Melbourne stage awaits Kittle
Kittle’s comeback will unfold on a historic stage as the 49ers and Rams meet at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia.
Interest has surged around Melbourne, with thousands of fans queuing for NFL merchandise ahead of the 49ers-Rams clash.
For Kittle, the biggest question has changed from whether he can make Week 1 to how much San Francisco will use him. His snap count, third-down involvement and red-zone targets should offer the clearest indication of how far his recovery has progressed.
Eight months after an Achilles tear put his opening-day availability in doubt, Kittle has reached the starting line — with a division rival waiting and Melbourne providing the stage for one of Week 1’s biggest NFL comeback stories.
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