George Kittle missed his third straight practice Friday while dealing with a groin injury he suffered during an abbreviated team session on Monday.
We’ll have to see if Kittle can play in Sunday’s Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears, as he is officially listed as questionable.
Obviously, the 49ers are a much better football team when the Pro Bowl tight end is on the field, as he makes huge contributions in the pass game and run game. His 94 targets were second on the team last season and he’d provide a nice security blanket in the middle of the field for Trey Lance, who is set to take over the offense as starting quarterback. Kittle is also renowned as one of the best blocking tight ends in the game.
David Lombardi and Matt Barrows of The Athletic relayed an update from Kittle on Friday afternoon.
Given it’s only the season opener, it might behoove the 49ers to play it safe and keep him sidelined on Sunday. There are still 16 weeks to go.
Kittle missed three games last season while dealing with a calf injury and he also missed eight games in 2020 with a foot fracture. The 28-year-old is trying to fend off narratives that he’s becoming injury prone, as some fans on social media have come to call him George Brittle.
The 49ers have three other tight ends on the roster – Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft – along with Troy Fumagalli on the practice squad.
Interior lineman Daniel Brunskill (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday. The 49ers did receive some good injury news though, as starting weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw is good to go after being slowed by an elbow injury this week.
