George Kittle’s season ended in the second quarter of Sunday’s NFC Wild Card Game when the Pro Bowl tight tight end suffered a torn right Achilles while being tackled on a 6-yard reception from Brock Purdy.
According to News Of Losangeles, the 49ers ruled Kittle out just before halftime at Lincoln Financial Field, and coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the diagnosis after the game.
At a Glance
- George Kittle tore his right Achilles in the second quarter against the Eagles.
- He was carted off and declared out before halftime.
- Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the injury post-game.
- Why it matters: The 49ers lose their top receiving threat and emotional leader in a must-win playoff matchup.
The Play That Changed Everything
Kittle caught a short pass from Purdy and was wrapped up by Eagles defenders. As he was pulled to the turf, his right leg buckled awkwardly. Trainers immediately signaled for the cart, and the stadium fell silent.
> “The trainers knew before the cart came out and got word to me in the headset. Yes, a torn Achilles,” Shanahan told reporters.
The veteran tight end slammed his helmet on the ground in frustration before being driven to the locker room.
Injury History Adds Sting
This was Kittle’s third injury setback of the season:
- Missed Weeks 3-4 with a hamstring issue.
- Sat out Week 12 after hurting his left ankle.
- Now faces a 6-9 month recovery after surgery for the Achilles tear.
Despite the nagging ailments, Kittle still finished with 65 catches, 765 yards, and 6 touchdowns in the regular season.
Impact on 49ers’ Playoff Hopes
Without Kittle, the 49ers must now rely on:
- Backup tight end Charlie Woerner for blocking duties.
- Wide receivers Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, and Jauan Jennings to stretch the field.
- Running back Christian McCaffrey as the primary check-down option.
Philadelphia’s defense immediately shifted focus to Samuel and Aiyuk, bracketing them on subsequent drives.
Contract and Future Outlook
Kittle, 30, is under contract through 2025 with base salaries of:
| Year | Base Salary | Cap Hit |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $8.9M | $18.4M |
| 2025 | $12.3M | $21.8M |
The 49ers could approach him about restructuring next offseason to free up cap space for extensions for Purdy and linebacker Fred Warner.
Locker Room Reaction
Quarterback Brock Purdy called the injury “gut-wrenching,” adding:
> “He’s the heartbeat of our offense. We rally around his energy.”
Left tackle Trent Williams said:
> “You hate to see a warrior like that go down. We’ve got to finish this for him.”
Key Takeaways
- George Kittle’s torn Achilles is a season-ending injury that requires surgery and months of rehab.
- The 49ers must advance without their most reliable red-zone target and emotional spark.
- Coach Shanahan faces added pressure to scheme around the loss while facing an Eagles defense that already limited Kittle to 2 catches for 14 yards in Week 13.
The 49ers trail the Eagles at halftime and now need a collective effort to keep their Super Bowl hopes alive.
