Overview
- The 49ers announced on Sunday that they activated tight end George Kittle from the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list, allowing him to begin on-field team work after rehabbing a ruptured right Achilles sustained in the Jan. 11 playoff game.
- Coming off PUP means Kittle will not be forced to miss the first four regular-season games if he continues to progress, a procedural change the club completed before the Aug. 30 roster cutdown.
- Kittle was expected to take part in practice in limited fashion immediately after activation, but he still must complete at least one set of padded practice reps and receive formal medical clearance before he can be cleared to play.
- Reports say Kittle’s rehab has been ahead of typical timelines and an August visit with surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache was described as encouraging, which helped prompt the club’s decision to activate him.
- If Kittle is not cleared to travel, the 49ers plan to decide his status before the team’s Sept. 2 departure to Melbourne and will rely on other tight ends for early games while his return would materially boost San Francisco’s offense when he’s ready.