Kittle cleared for practice, but Week 1 status remains in question

The San Francisco 49ers activated star tight end George Kittle from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday, moving him one step closer to a return from the torn right Achilles he suffered in January. The move allows Kittle to practice with the team for the first time since the injury, though his availability for the regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, is not guaranteed.

Kittle, 32, tore his Achilles on Jan. 11 during the 49ers' wild-card playoff win at Philadelphia. He underwent surgery shortly after and has been rehabbing since. On Sunday, 221 days after the operation, he participated in individual drills but did not take part in team drills, according to multiple reports. He was seen running routes and catching passes, an encouraging sign for a player who has been out of football for more than seven months.

"I want to play in every football game that I possibly can play in, but I'm also aware it's an 18-week season," Kittle said Aug. 16, according to ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "If you miss Week 1 and you're playing Week 2, hey, it is what it is. ... I'm just going to keep that as my goal and then we'll adjust from there if we need to."

Kittle has said he needs to get practice time in pads before deciding whether he can play in the opener. The 49ers are scheduled to depart for Australia on Sept. 2, more than a week before the game against the Rams on Sept. 10 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The long flight — roughly 16 hours each way — has been cited as a complicating factor in the decision.

A remarkable recovery pace

Kittle's recovery has been unusually fast. He tore his Achilles in January and has reportedly hit every benchmark in his rehab. He described the process as "the most boring rehab in the world" and said the tear was higher up in his leg, promoting better blood flow. He recently visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache, the surgeon who repaired the tendon, and the meeting was described as "encouraging" by ESPN's Adam Schefter, who also reported that Kittle's recovery is ahead of schedule.

Kittle, a two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler, has been running at top speeds, reportedly exceeding 16 mph. He said he is "very confident" he will avoid starting the season on the PUP list, though the team has been cautious. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle is "shooting for" Week 1, and general manager John Lynch said he is "hopeful."

"It's unbelievable, man," Christian McCaffrey said of Kittle's progress. "I've been watching him for the last four or five weeks, working out, and he looks incredible. It really is amazing. It's a testament to his work ethic and how much time he puts into his recovery."

McCaffrey returns to practice

McCaffrey, who had missed the previous two weeks of practice with what the team called "tightness," also returned to the field Sunday. He participated in team drills without restrictions and even broke off a 25-yard touchdown run in 11-on-11 work, according to the New York Post. McCaffrey had not played in the first two preseason games, and his absence had sparked speculation about his status. Coach Kyle Shanahan dismissed theories that the running back was holding out for a new contract or that the team was hiding a serious injury. According to the San Francisco Standard's David Lombardi, McCaffrey confirmed his absence was part of a body-preservation plan.

McCaffrey, 30, played 1,010 offensive snaps last season, becoming just the ninth running back in the past 20 seasons to top the 1,000 mark. He won the 2025 Comeback Player of the Year award after finishing with 2,126 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns. His workload has been a concern, as he has struggled with injuries in seasons following heavy use. He played only four games in 2024 due to knee and Achilles issues.

Other injury updates

Defensive end Nick Bosa remains out of practice with soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee. Bosa tore his ACL in Week 3 last season. Rookie running back Kaelon Black has been getting increased reps, and tight end Jake Tonges has been filling in for Kittle. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall was lost for the season earlier in camp with a knee injury.

What's next

The 49ers play their preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 27. They must set their 53-man roster by Sept. 1, a day before departing for Australia. Kittle's activation opens a window for him to return within the first four weeks of the season, but whether he plays in the opener remains to be determined.

"It's just a matter of how soon he's ready to play in a game after not playing football for more than seven months," Shanahan said, as quoted by TSN. "I agree, I think it's sooner than later."

The 49ers enter the season in a competitive NFC West, with the Rams — who acquired defensive end Myles Garrett — and the reigning champion Seattle Seahawks both considered contenders. Kittle, who had 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games last season, remains a key piece of San Francisco's offense. With 8,008 career receiving yards, he is closing in on the average Hall of Fame tight end's total of 8,075, according to Pro Football Reference.