Overview
- Kittle said he aims to be playing well before November after surgery performed last week in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
- The tight end described a clean tear near the soleus with no drilling into the heel, a location he and doctors say can shorten rehab due to better blood flow.
- Kyle Shanahan said the procedure was very successful and suggested Kittle could return sooner than historical expectations for Achilles injuries.
- Kittle initially declined to give a firm date but hinted an early-season return is possible, framing the timeline as a surprise.
- San Francisco shifted to offseason planning after a 41-6 divisional-round loss to Seattle, with other key rehab timelines also in focus.