George Kittle

Kyle Juszczyk claims George Kittle has a realistic chance to return for Week 1, backed by reports of the tight end hitting 16 miles per hour in workouts. A September return from a postseason Achilles tear is a compressed timeline, but Kittle is a physical marvel who averaged 14.7 Fantasy Points Per Game (No. 3) last season.

Early-season injury uncertainty continues to dampen Kittle’s fantasy appeal. His elite 2.24 Yards Per Route Run (No. 3) and +56.2 Expected Points Added (No. 2) make him a major value at his suppressed ADP.

Great to hear that George Kittle is aiming for a Week 1 return, though management remains cautiously optimistic rather than making any official guarantees. Even if the season opener proves too ambitious, the 49ers expect their star tight end back early in the 2026 campaign. Barring setbacks, even a stint on the PUP list would see him back on the field by Week 5 at the latest.

Kittle will return to a revamped passing game that will need his production to be successful. He provides a great source for upside in the later rounds of best ball drafts and has a couple good years left in dynasty leagues.

George Kittle is making “good” progress in his rehab after rupturing his Achilles during the 49ers’ January playoff win. Dr. Neal El Attrache fixed Kittle’s Achilles that same week. While initial projections suggested a Week 5 return, current reports indicate he has a chance to beat that timeline if his recovery remains on track.

John Lynch noted that Kittle will require workload management during training camp, making late July a key milestone for his availability. Opportunistic dynasty managers would be wise to acquire Kittle (TE14 on KeepTradeCut) now before more positive news reports surface in the weeks and months ahead.

It’s time for the NFL Divisional Round of the playoffs. It also means the latest in injury news to report before the teams release before gametime.

• Today, the No. 6 seed Buffalo Bills head to Mile High Stadium to face the top-seeded Denver Broncos. Josh Allen has many bumps and bruises ailing him, but he will be “full go” for the matchup, absent receivers Gabe Davis and Tyrell Shavers, who landed on the injured reserve last week, ending their season for an already-depleted wide receiver corps.
• Good news in that department came in the form of Curtis Samuel being activated from the list. He is active for the game and will jump right in as a weapon for Allen.
• Tight end Dalton Kincaid was limited all week (knee, calf) but has been playing through the injury of late. He will do so again on Saturday.
• Placekicker Matt Prater is good to go; it appears his quad injury is completely behind him.
• Running Back Ty Johnson (ankle) was only able to practice once this week, and on a limited basis. Expected to be the Bills’ No. 2 RB over Ray Davis. Johnson is officially out.
• The Denver Broncos have no notable injuries on the offensive side after a week of rest.

• The No. 6-seeded San Francisco 49ers will have to take on their rivals in Seattle without tight end George Kittle against the Seahawks.
• Wide receiver Jacob Cowing (IR) will not be activated before the game.
• Wideout Ricky Pearsall (PCL) is questionable and will be a game-time decision. Pearsall himself admitted a lack of explosiveness thanks to the injury but hopes to be on the field. Kyle Shanahan relayed that if he can play, there will be no snap count restrictions whatsoever.
• Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, already battling a quad injury, aggravated the injury in practice and was forced to cut the session short. Darnold maintains that he is “fine” and is “looking forward to being out there.” Seattle’s backup quarterback is Drew Lock.
• Wide receivers Cooper Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba missed practice on consecutive days this week, but neither absence was injury-related.

6 Buffalo Bills (12-5) at 1 Denver Broncos (14-3) – 4:30 PM ET

6 San Francisco 49ers (12-5) at 1 Seattle Seahawks (14-3) – 8:00 PM ET – Update coming soon

Author: Samwise (@BuyAndSellYou)