SANTA CLARA – Just four days before the 49ers are set to open their season on the road against the Chicago Bears, George Kittle popped up on the injury report with a strained groin.
The Pro Bowl tight end didn’t practice on Wednesday, in the team’s first full-team session of prep for Week 1. Starting weakside linebacker Dre Greenlaw was a non-contact participant Thursday, while Daniel Brunskill is still dealing with a hamstring injury that he suffered in the preseason opener on Aug. 12 and couldn’t practice.
As of Wednesday morning, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said he was “not sure” about the severity of Kittle’s injury, putting his availability against the Bears in question.
“I was hoping he’d be good today,” Shanahan said. “Did it a little on Monday and not feeling good today, so we'll have to see day-by-day.”
Losing Kittle would be a big detriment to the 49ers offense – both in the run and the pass game – not to mention he’s a huge threat in the middle of the field for Trey Lance. Kittle missed three games while dealing with a calf injury last season and also dealt with some knee soreness near the end of last season.
Kittle will turn 29 on Oct. 9 as he enters his fifth season on the 49ers. He was one of six captains named to the squad Tuesday, along with Trent Williams, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Jimmie Ward and Fred Warner. Kittle ranked fourth among NFL tight ends with 910 receiving yards on 71 catches last season, while his 94 targets were second only to Deebo Samuel (121).
Charlie Woerner is listed as the No. 2 tight end behind Kittle on the team’s unofficial depth chart, while the 49ers are also carrying Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft. Woerner is a solid blocker and Dwelley probably has the best hands of the backups, but Kittle’s ability to dominate on the edge of the line blocking and run with the ball in his hands would be sorely missed.
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