Will the San Francisco 49ers have star tight end George Kittle available for their Week 1 matchup with the Chicago Bears on Sunday?
On Wednesday, the Niners held Kittle out of practice while announcing that he’s currently dealing with a groin injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also admitted that he isn’t sure when the versatile tight end will be available next.
“Not sure. I was hoping he’d be good today. He did it a little on Monday and not feeling good today. We’ll have to see day-by-day,” Shanahan said when asked by reporters when Kittle will be back to full speed.
George Kittle Fantasy Football Ranking
According to our Stokastic fantasy football rankings, George Kittle comes into the season as the fifth-ranked tight end on the board, behind just Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, Kyle Pitts, and Darren Waller.
This season, though, Kittle will have a new quarterback throwing him the ball after the Niners officially turned the page from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance following their playoff exit last season.
“I’m not worried about Trey,” Kittle said via USA Today. “He had good plays and he had bad plays. It is what it is.
“Even throughout training camp, I haven’t seen Trey be overly emotional after an interception or after a really nice go ball. He’s even keel. And he’s ready to go every single snap.”
Last season, Kittle had 71 receptions for 910 yards and six touchdowns playing in 14 games. Now, the emphasis is on getting Kittle healthy and on the field for the entire season.
If Kittle does miss, fantasy managers will have a void to fill.
Those searching for replacements should look toward Los Angeles Rams tight end Gerald Everett if available, according to Stokastic fantasy football experts Nick Lepri and Matt Savoca. Full start-sit rankings for Week 1 can be found here.
Ross Dwelley is the likely option on San Francisco at tight end if Kittle is out. However, he should not be in consideration this week.
“I’d rather start Ross from ‘Friends’ than Ross Dwelley against the Bears in Lance’s third-ever start,” Savoca said.
