49ers Clear Kittle to Return From Achilles Injury Ahead of Australia Game

The San Francisco 49ers removed star tight end George Kittle from the physically unable to perform list Sunday, signaling potential availability for their season-opening matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 11 in Australia. The move came a decade before the team’s scheduled Sept. 2 departure, offering the franchise optimism regarding Kittle’s recovery from a ruptured right Achilles tendon suffered during a January playoff victory in Philadelphia.

Kittle has made a remarkable recovery in less than eight months from his injury, with the two-time All-Pro returning to practice. The seven-time Pro Bowl selection had told the team he needed padded practice sessions before the Australia trip to determine his readiness for Week 1 participation. During the 2024 season, Kittle recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.

All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey also returned to practice after missing two weeks due to tightness, providing further injury relief for San Francisco’s offense. McCaffrey played 1,010 offensive snaps in the regular season and playoffs last year, becoming just the ninth running back in the past 20 seasons to surpass the 1,000-snap threshold.

Defensive end Nick Bosa remained sidelined with soreness and tendinitis in his surgically repaired right knee following an ACL tear in Week 3 last season. The 49ers have expressed confidence that Bosa will be prepared for the season opener despite limited participation in team drills over the past three weeks.