The San Francisco 49ers are activating star tight end George Kittle for the Bay Area club's Week 16 matchup with NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals, per Omar Ruiz of NFL Network.
#49ers Star TE George Kittle WILL play Saturday vs Cardinals, Kyle Shanahan said in his zoom press conference. Said he felt “great” and that he’ll be on somewhat of a pitch count. Shanahan said Kittle is one of the healthiest players they have.
— Omar Ruiz (@OmarDRuiz) December 24, 2020
Kittle, 27, last appeared for the 49ers in Week 8; since then the Iowa product has been nursing a broken bone in his foot. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end is coming off a 2019 season where he recorded 85 receptions for over 1,000 receiving yards, totaling five touchdowns in 14 regular-season games prior to the 49ers' 2019-20 NFL postseason run, leading to a Super Bowl LIV defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 49ers have been severely depleted throughout the 2020 campaign, with franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo likely shelved for the remainder of the season with a high-ankle sprain. He hasn't appeared under center for the Niners since Week 8 as well.
San Francisco has been eliminated from playoff contention; however, Kyler Murray and the Cardinals are still fighting for their postseason lives. At 8-6, Arizona is currently positioned in the seventh and final seed in the NFC playoff picture. Additionally, the NFC West Los Angeles Rams are one game better than the Cardinals. The 49ers can play spoilers to the Cards this weekend.
Kittle's return for the 49ers was hinted at four days ago when he returned to practice. Since then, head coach Kyle Shanahan has said Kittle feels “great,” per Ruiz.
Kittle signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension with the 49ers in the offseason. Clearly, his health and well-being are top priorities not just for the 2020 campaign, which will yield no postseason, but going forward in the Bay Area.
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