George Kittle of the 49ers Makes a Real Game-Time Choice Prior to the Bears Game George Kittle, the star tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, is still very much in the spotlight going into Sunday night’s big game against the Chicago Bears, and not just because of his performance on the field.
The former Iowa Hawkeyes star is officially listed as questionable for Week 17 after sustaining a low-to-mid ankle sprain during San Francisco’s convincing 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts last week. Even though Kittle didn’t take part in any practice sessions during the week, the designation was made on Friday. Given the importance of Sunday’s game, this lack of practice time has drawn criticism. The 49ers and Bears are both 11–4, and the result could have a big impact on the postseason. San Francisco hasn’t ruled out seeing its emotional leader play, despite the uncertainty.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan was hopeful earlier in the week that Kittle would record some practice reps prior to the weekend. That never happened. As kickoff draws near, Kittle’s availability is seriously uncertain because he missed all three sessions. The organization isn’t closing the door, though. John Lynch, general manager, emphasized Kittle’s reputation for toughness and dependability while speaking in a positive manner.
“George is the type of player, you give him that type of latitude,” Lynch said. “We’ll give him up to the game.”
That remark reveals a lot about Kittle’s position in the franchise. When in good health, he serves as the offense’s heartbeat rather than just another weapon. He is indispensable because of his ability to run routes like a wide receiver, block like a lineman, and put unrelenting energy into every snap.
However, Sunday night is currently looking like a traditional game-time choice. An offense that has been operating at full capacity would suffer a serious setback if Kittle is unable to suit up. Kittle has been a key player in the 49ers’ recent five-game winning streak, which has seen the team average an incredible 34.4 points per game.
The 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end has caught 31 passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns during those five games. When healthy, his performance against Indianapolis served as a reminder of how dominant he can be. Kittle frequently punished defenders down the seam and after the catch on Monday Night Football, leading the team with seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.
These figures show how much the offense depends on him, particularly in high-leverage scenarios, and they don’t just appear on the stat sheet. Kittle is frequently the first read and the emotional spark in situations like third down, the red zone, or a pivotal late-game drive.
His status against Chicago is still a crucial plot point because of this. San Francisco would prefer to have every advantage possible, and the Bears are among the league’s most attractive teams going into Levi’s Stadium.
The 49ers would have to change their offensive strategy if Kittle couldn’t play, depending more on other pass-catchers and modifying their blocking tactics in the run game. Nevertheless, it seems that the organization is prepared to hold off on making a decision for as long as possible. There’s a feeling that Kittle will strive to play if he believes he can, even if it’s not at his best.
The game is set to begin at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, at 7:20 p.m. CT on Sunday. A sizable audience will be watching to see if Kittle takes the field because the game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and streamed on Peacock. The largest question is still unanswered for the time being.
There is still much uncertainty surrounding George Kittle’s status, and all indications suggest that a decision won’t be made until the last few hours before kickoff. In one way or another, the outcome of this heavyweight fight could be greatly influenced by his presence or absence.
