49ers' Brock Purdy ‘wouldn't doubt' George Kittle returns from injury for Week 1
49ers' Brock Purdy ‘wouldn't doubt' George Kittle returns from injury for Week 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Anyone who is a fan or member of the 49ers organization wants to see star tight end George Kittle healthy as soon as possible, including quarterback Brock Purdy . And luckily, despite tearing his Achilles in the Wild Card round of last year’s playoffs, Kittle appears on track to return fairly early during the 2026 NFL season — if not for Week 1. On Wednesday, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Laura Britt spoke to Purdy at the Dwight Clark Legacy Series event in San Jose about Kittle’s ongoing rehab and if the All-Pro could be back for the 49ers’ season opener against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia. “I mean, knowing George, I wouldn’t doubt it, but I’m not going to publicly say, ‘He’s going to be back,'” Purdy told Britt. “I hope so.” Last month, general manager John Lynch said the organization remains “hopeful” Kittle could be healthy by that matchup down under on Sept. 10 — just one day short of nine months since his injury . While his exact return timeline still remains uncertain, another thing isn’t: Kittle’s relentless attitude, which hasn’t been damaged despite getting hurt. “He’s done absolutely everything possible in terms of rehab and what you can do to get back, and that’s George,” Purdy said Wednesday. “You know he’s going to get back as soon as he can. But just the fact that his presence, being in the weight room, being around the guys in the locker room and the cafeteria — when George is in the building, you can hear him, one, and then just, you feel him. … “Everything he does is 5,000 percent more than the average person. We love him and the energy he brings, obviously. But he’s a true captain. He does everything right. I’ve learned a lot in terms of how to take care of your body and the treatment and stuff from him and Christian [ McCaffrey ] and all the guys. But George is going to do everything he can to get back and play in front of the Faithful at Levi’s. It will be fun.” Kittle’s was just one of a multitude of brutal injuries to 49ers players last season, as fellow stars Fred Warner , Nick Bosa and Purdy also were sidelined for several games. But Purdy remains confident in San Francisco ’s potential if they can get back to full strength in 2026, as he told Britt. “You guys have seen it, you know, in years past, NFC Championship, getting to the Super Bowl, being right there,” Purdy explained. “Obviously, how 2023 ended with that taste in our mouth of being right there and not being able to finish — obviously we have what it takes to go all the way and win it when we’re at full strength and good to go. “Even though we are at full strength and full health, that’s not guaranteed. And that’s the cool thing about the guys that we have in the locker room and our organization is, no one just sits there and goes, ‘Oh, look at our roster and how beautiful it looks.’ Guys are ready to go. Like I said, when it’s set and done, we want to be able to come back, just like all these other guys, and have rings on our fingers and be able to celebrate those key wins and moments for the history of the 49ers. That’s what is on our minds, so we’ve got to do it.” Needless to say, a healthy Kittle would be a great start toward reaching that goal. Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast
