The San Francisco 49ers made it official on Tuesday.
Star tight end George Kittle has been placed on injured reserve following his season-ending torn Achilles suffered in Sunday’s wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Tuesday that Kittle is scheduled to undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair his right Achilles. That timeline makes it unlikely that the team captain will be able to travel to Seattle for Saturday’s divisional round matchup against the Seahawks at Lumen Field.
The loss of Kittle is devastating for the 49ers. The 32-year-old finished the regular season with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. He missed six regular-season games earlier this year—Weeks 2-6 due to a torn hamstring and Week 17 with an ankle sprain.
Kittle tore his Achilles on his first reception of the game against Philadelphia. Quarterback Brock Purdy connected with him on a 6-yard pass, and Kittle was tackled shortly after. He immediately grabbed the back of his lower right leg and was carted off the field.
To fill Kittle’s spot on the active roster, the 49ers promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad.
Who Is Brayden Willis and What Does He Bring to the 49ers?
Willis is a third-year tight end who was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He has appeared in 23 regular-season games during his 49ers career, including six games this season. He has also played in three postseason contests. Willis has not put up big numbers, but he is familiar with the offense and has been in the system for two full seasons.
The 49ers clearly trust Willis enough to promote him over outside options. He will now serve as the backup tight end behind Jake Tonges, who already has experience stepping in for Kittle this season.
Tonges filled in when Kittle missed five games earlier this year due to a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. San Francisco’s tight end room now consists of Tonges as the starter and Willis as his backup. The 49ers will need to adjust their offensive game plan without their star tight end.
Fred Warner Opens Practice Window, Still Won’t Play This Week
In addition to the Kittle and Willis moves, the 49ers also officially opened the 21-day practice window for linebacker Fred Warner.
Warner has been out since Week 6 after dislocating and fracturing his right ankle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Shanahan confirmed Monday that Warner will not play this week against Seattle, but there is hope he could return if the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship Game.
Getting Warner back would be a massive boost for the defense. He is one of the best linebackers in football, and his presence on the field changes everything for San Francisco’s defensive scheme. For now, though, the focus is on getting him back on the practice field and continuing his rehab.
What the 49ers Must Do Without George Kittle
GettyBrock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers.
Losing Kittle is a massive blow to the 49ers’ offense.
He is one of the best tight ends in the NFL and a key piece of Shanahan’s offensive system. Kittle’s ability to block in the run game and make plays in the passing game makes him irreplaceable. The 49ers will have to adjust their game plan without him.
Shanahan will likely lean more heavily on his wide receivers. Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson, and Kendrick Bourne will all need to step up. Christian McCaffrey will also be even more important in the passing game, as he can line up in the slot and create mismatches.
Brayden Willis will have to do his best to fill in where he can, but the reality is that no one on the 49ers’ roster can replicate what Kittle brings to the offense. San Francisco will have to find ways to compensate and hope their defense can keep them in the game.
Final Word for the 49ers
George Kittle’s injury is one of the most devastating blows the 49ers could have suffered.
He is a leader, a game-changer, and one of the best players on the roster. Losing him for the rest of the playoffs significantly hurts San Francisco’s chances of making a deep run.
Brayden Willis will do his best to step in, but he is not George Kittle. The 49ers will have to adjust their offensive game plan and find other ways to move the ball against a tough Seahawks defense.
Fred Warner opening his practice window is a positive development, but he won’t be available this week. The 49ers will have to win on Saturday without two of their best players.
If they can pull off the upset in Seattle, they will have earned it.
49ers Make Notable Roster Addition Ahead of Seahawks Matchup