49ers’ George Kittle had torn hamstring but will return for SNF game vs. Falcons

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle revealed after practice Thursday that the hamstring injury he suffered last month was a full tear. He said he wanted to wait until he was 100 percent before returning, which will be Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons.

He added that the decision is up to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan but that he expects to play in the home game.

George Kittle on why he thinks the run game hasn’t clicked; (and he plans to play Sunday) pic.twitter.com/tAACSUNuEM

— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) October 16, 2025

Kittle, who suffered the injury in the season-opening win over the Seattle Seahawks, was removed from the injured reserve list and was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday. But he has looked good running routes and said that it feels “great to be back. I love football. Football is fun.”

Kittle said that although the hamstring was fully torn, it did not tear off the bone. Because of the location of the injury, his recovery time was not as long as it could have been.

Backup tight end Jake Tonges has been a major contributor in Kittle’s absence. He has 25 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns, including his amazing game-winning catch to beat the Seahawks in the final minutes.

Kittle had four catches — including a TD grab — in a quarter and a half before getting hurt against Seattle. But the 49ers have felt his absence more in the running game, as the 49ers are last in the league at 3.1 yards per carry.

It looks as if Kittle will be catching passes from Mac Jones, who is 3-1 starting for injured Brock Purdy. Jones was a full participant at practice Thursday after being limited Wednesday and last week with oblique and knee injuries. Purdy has been limited at practice this week as he is working to come back from a turf toe injury.