George Kittle injury update: Juszczyk says Tight End could be ready for Week 1

George Kittle injury update: Juszczyk sees Week 1 return as possible

George Kittle is making fast progress in his comeback from last season’s Achilles tear. Kyle Juszczyk, the 49ers fullback and Kittle’s close teammate, now believes the tight end could be cleared for San Francisco’s Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Australia.

Speaking on 12 Jul at the American Century Championship in South Lake Tahoe, Juszczyk told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco that Kittle’s movement at Tight End University looked sharp enough to justify optimism. “I really did feel that way,” Juszczyk said. “I was so impressed by the way he was moving at TEU. He told me he’d hit 16 miles an hour in a zigzag drill. That floored me.”

What happened during Kittle’s rehab?

Kittle tore his Achilles in last year’s playoffs, ending his 2025 season early. Since then he’s resisted pushing too hard, but he’s told teammates he’s ahead of schedule. Juszczyk said Kittle’s latest on-field workouts showed real strides. “He was doing this zigzag drill, and he told me he had reached like 16 miles an hour that day,” Juszczyk recalled.

Why Juszczyk’s words matter for Kittle’s return

Juszczyk isn’t just a teammate-he’s one of Kittle’s closest friends on the roster. His confidence in Kittle’s readiness carries weight with the locker room. “I know him and the trainers are going to be smart about it,” Juszczyk added. “We know how much George means to our team, and having him out there more than just one game is important.”

What comes next for Kittle and the 49ers?

The 49ers open the 2026 season in Australia against the Rams on 7 Sep. If Kittle is cleared, he’d give San Francisco a massive boost at tight end. The team’s medical staff will keep a close watch to avoid any setbacks. Juszczyk’s latest update suggests Kittle’s rehab is on pace-and the tight end himself is pushing to be ready in time.