At a Glance
- George Kittle tore his right Achilles tendon in the second quarter of the 49ers’ Wild Card win over the Eagles on Jan. 11.
- The tight end posted on Instagram Monday: “Football sucks sometimes. But I love it.”
- Why it matters: Kittle’s season-ending injury leaves San Francisco without its offensive heart ahead of the divisional matchup with Seattle.
George Kittle’s season ended on the turf at Lincoln Financial Field. The 32-year-old Pro Bowl tight end crumpled after a six-yard catch, was carted off and later diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon. Hours after the 49ers’ 23-19 victory, Kittle delivered a raw, emotional message to fans and teammates.
The Moment It Happened
With roughly six minutes left in the first half, quarterback Brock Purdy found Kittle across the middle. The tight end planted his right foot, then dropped. Trainers immediately signaled for a cart. Kittle wiped tears from his eyes as the crowd offered a respectful ovation.
San Francisco ruled him out minutes later. An MRI after the flight home confirmed the tear, ending his 2024-25 campaign.
Kittle’s Immediate Reaction
On Monday, Jan. 12, Kittle posted a nine-slide Instagram carousel. The first image shows him flashing a grin on the sideline; the last frame is a Calvin and Hobbes strip in which Calvin admits, “some days my lucky rocketship underpants don’t help.”
“Football sucks sometimes. But I love it,” Kittle wrote. “I love these guys and this team. Heartbroken but have felt so much love and support from everyone reaching out. I’ll be good. Thank you. We aren’t done yet!”
His wife, Claire, reposted the message to her Stories, adding: “My real life superhero 👊💪😤⚡️.”
Locker-Room Support
Kittle singled out 49ers owner Jed York for racing to the locker room first: “That told me I’m in a special place.” Teammates flooded the comments:
- Kicker Eddy Piñeiro: “Love you bro 🙌”
- Wide receiver Demarcus Robinson: “All Love Family We Need That Energy Brothers Keeper ❤️💯”
McCaffrey: ‘Heart and Soul’ Gone
Running back Christian McCaffrey addressed reporters post-game, voice cracking.
“It’s a tough loss,” he said. “This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year, and since I got traded here, he’s the heart and soul of this team.”
McCaffrey promised the locker room would keep Kittle’s spirit alive.
“When you lose a leader like that, you never really lose him because his presence is still in the locker room… He’s a leader, heart and soul of this team. So praying for him, love him, we’re going to play for him the rest of the way.”
Up Next Without Their Star
San Francisco faces the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round on Saturday, Jan. 17. Kittle led the team with eight touchdown catches this season and ranked second in receiving yards among tight ends.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan must now lean on backup tight ends Charlie Woerner and Brayden Willis. The duo combined for 12 catches and 119 yards during the regular season.
Timeline of Events
| Time | Event |
|---|---|
| Second quarter, ~6:00 | Kittle catches six-yard pass, collapses |
| Second quarter, ~5:30 | Cart enters field; Kittle wipes tears |
| Halftime | Officially ruled out with Achilles injury |
| Monday morning | MRI confirms tear; Kittle posts on Instagram |
| Saturday, Jan. 17 | 49ers vs. Seahawks without Kittle |
Key Takeaways
- Kittle’s injury is season-ending, but he vows a comeback.
- The 49ers advance without their emotional leader.
- Teammates pledge to honor Kittle with their play.
Injury status: Out for remainder of playoffs.
Recovery timeline: Typically 9-12 months for Achilles repairs.
Contract note: Kittle is signed through 2027 on a five-year, $75 million deal.
