George Kittle Set to Make Season Debut; Arik Armstead Questionable Sunday
Sep 23, 2022, 2:05 PM | Updated: 2:42 pm
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 11: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts prior to the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on September 11, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The San Francisco 49ers will have one of their favorite weapons back in the offense Sunday night, as tight end George Kittle is set to make his season debut against the Denver Broncos.
Kittle had been dealing with a groin injury since Labor Day, forcing him to miss the first two weeks of the regular season. Returning to the practice field last Friday was a sign in the right direction, building on that to practice fully this week.
The tight end has shown enough to the coaching staff to have no limitations in Week 3, giving quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo one of his favorite targets Sunday night in Denver.
“He’s good to go,” 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday.
George Kittle is off the injury report and will make his season-debut Sunday night pic.twitter.com/DIVEhaKLhZ
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) September 23, 2022
George Kittle’s presence on the field not only helps the passing game but also the running game for the 49ers, as he’ll be able to lead the way for ball carriers.
“Kittle has been one of our better players here over the years,” Shanahan added. When he’s out there, he’s a huge deal for us. We gotta get him back into football shape and stuff, Just because he hasn’t played in a little bit but he helps us in every facet we do.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for defensive tackle Arik Armstead, designated as questionable for Week 3. The Sacramento native has been dealing with a foot issue all week, forcing him to skip three consecutive practices.
Running back Ty Davis-Price (ankle), offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (hamstring) and tight end Tyler Kroft (knee) have been ruled out for Sunday’s contest. OL Colton McKivitz is questionable with an ankle injury.
Former 49ers players DT D.J. Jones (ankle) and CB K’Waun Williams (wrist) were on the Broncos injury report this week with lingering ailments. Both have been cleared to play Sunday night.
