Fans of the San Francisco 49ers can now breathe a little easier, and fans of Iowa football have even more cause for relief. Former Hawkeye legend George Kittle received positive news about the ankle injury that kept him out of San Francisco’s Week 16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts after a tense moment on Monday night that momentarily raised questions about the remainder of the season.
Given the nature of lower-body injuries, particularly this late in the season, Kittle’s exit from the 49ers’ 48–27 victory late in the third quarter after appearing to tweak his ankle raised immediate concerns. But when he spoke with reporters after the game, the nine-year NFL veteran was upbeat. According to Kittle, he didn’t think the injury was a high-ankle sprain, which usually requires a much longer recovery period and keeps players out of action for several weeks.
That initial self-assessment turned out to be spot on.
Kittle’s suspicion was validated on Tuesday by ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, who stated that the star tight end is suffering from a “mid-to-low ankle sprain.” That kind of injury is much more controllable and provides a much better chance for a quicker return to the field, even though the 49ers will still keep a close eye on it. Avoiding a protracted absence from Kittle is crucial for San Francisco. The 49ers’ offense has been operating at full capacity, averaging a scorching 34.4 points per game over the course of their five-game winning streak going into this week. Kittle, a dependable safety valve and a game-changing weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, has been at the heart of that surge.
Kittle has caught 31 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns in those five games. Another illustration of his significance was his performance against the Colts. He led the team with seven receptions for 115 yards and found the end zone before exiting the game, demonstrating once more his unique combination of speed, power, and route-running acumen. That’s precisely why the prospect of losing him raised red flags.
It’s exactly why even the possibility of losing him sent alarm bells ringing.
Although the news is encouraging, Kittle’s return has not yet been officially scheduled. It is still unclear if he will be available for Sunday night’s crucial Week 17 game against the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears. The prime-time matchup at Levi’s Stadium is one of the most important games of the weekend with significant playoff implications because both the Bears and the 49ers are 11-4. Soon, the 49ers will have a better understanding. Kittle’s level of participation will be closely watched as San Francisco starts practice on Wednesday as the Bears get ready. The first true indications of how close he is to making a comeback will come from whether he is limited, a full participant, or completely held out.
After practice, head coach Kyle Shanahan will speak to the media, and his remarks may shed more light on how the team intends to handle Kittle’s recuperation. It wouldn’t be shocking if Kittle strives to return as soon as possible given his resilience and track record of playing through pain. However, the 49ers understand that winning one regular-season game is not as important as safeguarding their franchise tight end for a deep postseason run.
Kittle’s continued success in the NFL continues to be a source of pride for Iowa supporters. Moments like this further solidify the former Hawkeye’s standing as one of the toughest and most dependable football players. He has long been a standard-bearer for the program. Kittle manages to convey optimism even in the face of hardship. Even though Sunday night is still uncertain, the worst-case scenario has been officially averted. San Francisco’s momentum might have been derailed at the worst possible moment by a high-ankle sprain. Rather, the 49ers are now cautiously optimistic that their All-Pro tight end won’t be out for very long.
Kittle’s situation will continue to be one of the most interesting stories to follow as the week progresses. For the time being, though, the 49ers and Hawkeyes can find solace in one straightforward fact: George Kittle avoided a serious injury, which is a victory in and of itself.
