The San Francisco 49ers outlasted the Chicago Bears in a shootout last Sunday night. The team improved to 12-4 despite missing George Kittle. The veteran tight end was sidelined for the Week 17 matchup with an injury.
The seven-time Pro Bowler was cruising to a huge game against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday Night Football in Week 16 with a 7/115/1 receiving line. But Kittle exited early with a sprained ankle. After sitting out the Bears matchup, his status for Week 18 was up in the air.
But the 49ers’ victory set up a showdown for the No. 1 seed with the Seattle Seahawks in the season finale. And Kittle plans to play in Saturday night's divisional clash, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
George Kittle prepares for 49ers-Seahawks clash
Kittle avoided the worst-case scenario after suffering a “mid-to-low” ankle sprain against the Colts. He was hoping to play in Week 17 but ultimately wasn’t able to take the field. However, the ninth-year veteran expects to be ready when the 49ers host the Seahawks Saturday.
San Francisco has already clinched a playoff berth. Now the team has the opportunity to win the NFC West and secure the top seed in the conference with a win over Seattle in Week 18.
Brock Purdy has been playing out of his mind since the 49ers’ Week 14 bye. He has 13 total touchdowns and two interceptions over his last three games. And he’s used back-to-back prime time matchups as a showcase.
Purdy tossed five touchdown passes against the Colts on Monday Night Football in Week 16. Then he followed that up with five more touchdowns in last Sunday night’s win over Chicago. The fourth-year QB threw for three scores and ran for two more in Week 17.
While Purdy and the 49ers offense have been red-hot, the team continues to deal with injuries. Kittle is expected to play on Saturday but Trent Williams may be sidelined. The star offensive tackle injured his hamstring against the Bears. Williams has yet to practice since suffering the injury Sunday night.
