Kyle Shanahan Announces George Kittle Could Miss Week 1 With Groin Injury

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan delivered some bad news Wednesday: All-Pro tight end George Kittle skipped practice Wednesday with a groin injury, leaving his status for Sunday’s game in Chicago up in the air.

“Not sure. I was hoping he’d be good today. He did it a little on Monday and not feeling good today. We’ll have to see day-by-day,” Shanahan said, adding Kittle first felt the injury during Monday’s practice, citing tightness in his lower body.

While extremely effective when on the field, Kittle has missed substantial time over the last two seasons. A calf strain kept the All-Pro out for a good portion of the 2021 season, landing him on short-term IR after week 4.

Despite the injury, Shanahan still announced Kittle as one of his six captains Wednesday. Joining him are left tackle Trent Williams, linebacker Fred Warner, safety Jimmie Ward, and defensive linemen Arik Armstead and Nick Bosa. First-year starting quarterback Trey Lance was not named a team captain.

The list of team captains is comprised by the players, with Lance and wide receiver Deebo Samuel slotting in just behind the elected bunch.

Earned their stripes.

Your 2022 team captains 🌟 pic.twitter.com/lAIos4dobu

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) September 7, 2022

“He [Lance] was seventh in the voting, I just didn’t want to put seven on there. Deebo was eight, that’s why I mentioned his name on accident,” Shanahan said.

The reasoning may be a bit more than that for Lance’s exclusion, with the coaching staff still viewing him as a rookie in terms of game-time as a starter.

“Not a lot of rookies are captains. I realize it’s his second year, but he’s a rookie for us,” Shanahan said bluntly.

He may have a point there, clearly wanting the “rookie starter” to earn the Captain’s C on his jersey this year. Despite not giving him the title, Shanahan stated Lance is at an all-time high with his confidence, ready to go into week 1 against the Bears.

“Trey’s in as good a spot as I’ve ever been around him in…Now it’s time to go play,” Shanahan said.

As for the former starter under center, Shanahan confirmed Wednesday that Jimmy Garoppolo would be the backup to Lance this week.

“[He] looks like Jimmy always has, throwing the ball real good. I think he’s had three practices, two practices, but it’s been good,” Shanahan said.

Jimmy Garoppolo is back on the actual 49ers’ practice field for the first time this season pic.twitter.com/O9DdROHd2F

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 1, 2022

The 49ers have been under the spotlight ever seen the team announced Garoppolo would stay on the roster. Shanahan knows his players need to have both QBs’ backs for the long grind of a season.

“The fact that [Lance] has this successful quarterback behind them, that’s obvious how that narrative will be and understandably so. But I think our players also know, Jimmy went through some tough times too and they had his back. Regardless of if they thought there was a better option, they had his back,” Shanahan said. “And I think we got the guys who can do that. I think our guys did that for Jimmy when he was here, even when he was having some tough times, and allowed him to fight through that. And I believe our guys will do the same thing for Trey.”

To watch the full press conference, click here.

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