Overview
- George Kittle did not practice this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday night after injuring his ankle in Week 16.
- San Francisco elevated tight end Brayden Willis and linebacker Eric Kendricks from the practice squad, with Kendricks expected to provide defensive depth after playing last week.
- Multiple outlets view Willis’s elevation as insurance that reduces the chances Kittle plays, though his status will be finalized shortly before kickoff.
- If Kittle is inactive, Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges are expected to split tight end snaps, with Willis available as the No. 3 option.
- The 49ers are 11-4 and can clinch the NFC’s top seed by winning out, increasing the stakes of Kittle’s availability against Chicago.