For fans of the San Francisco 49ers as well as Iowa football supporters who continue to proudly claim George Kittle as one of their own, the wait is over. The 49ers formally declared Kittle inactive for Sunday night’s game against the Chicago Bears after days of conjecture, hope, and crossed fingers. The team’s pregame inactives list was used to make the decision, which confirmed what many in the league had started to anticipate as the week went on.
Prior to the nationally televised match, Kittle’s status had been one of the main narratives. During last week’s decisive 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football, the All-Pro tight end sustained a low-to-mid ankle sprain. Even though the injury didn’t seem serious at the time, it persisted long enough to raise concerns about his availability for the entire week. As usual, Kittle never completely stopped playing. He reportedly planned to test his ankle prior to kickoff, even though he didn’t practice at all during the week and was listed as questionable on Friday’s final injury report. Before making a final decision, Kittle intended to observe how the ankle reacted during warm-ups, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
Even so, early on Sunday, the writing seemed to be on the wall. The 49ers were expected to err on the side of caution after ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Kittle’s chances of playing were extremely slim. Even though the decision was disappointing, it seemed inevitable by the time inactives were announced. San Francisco’s offense has been operating at full capacity, but Kittle’s absence leaves a huge gap. The 49ers had won five straight games and averaged an incredible 34.4 points per game during that run going into Sunday night. Kittle has been one of the key players in that surge.
Kittle was both a safety valve and a matchup nightmare during the winning run, hauling in 31 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns. He is indispensable both statistically and structurally due to his ability to control the middle of the field, prolong plays after the catch, and contribute as a top blocker. Kittle’s influence isn’t always evident in the box score, as anyone who has watched the 49ers closely will attest. He modifies the alignment of defenses. He controls the coverage. Just by being on the field, he makes room for others. San Francisco’s offensive identity suffers noticeably in his absence.
The news hurts differently from Iowa’s point of view. One of the NFL’s most renowned Hawkeye alumni, Kittle is a living example of the program’s tough, physical ethos. Every time he takes the stage during prime time, Iowa supporters everywhere feel proud of him. It hurts to see him sidelined, particularly in a big game. Nevertheless, it makes sense in the long run to sit him. If you rush an ankle sprain, it can get worse very quickly, especially if it involves several ligaments. The temptation of a single regular-season game, even one played on Sunday night, is outweighed by the need to protect a key player for a team hoping to make the postseason.
The 49ers and Bears will kick off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, at 7:20 p.m. CT. A prime-time audience eager to see how San Francisco copes without one of its emotional leaders will watch the game, which will air nationally on NBC and stream on Peacock. Kittle’s absence will be noticeable even though the spotlight will be elsewhere. It’s the kind of missing component that modifies play-calling, influences third-down choices, and compels teammates to take on more responsibility. One of the most interesting subplots of the evening is whether the 49ers can continue their offensive rhythm without him.
Right now, the most important thing is to be patient. Toughness and availability have been the cornerstones of Kittle’s career; he typically plays through pain. It may be annoying to miss this one, but it might be the best course of action to guarantee he’s at his best during the most important games. And you can be sure that everyone who recognizes how exceptional a player George Kittle is fans, defenders, and others will notice when he does return.
