Overview
- General manager John Lynch said Saturday on NFL Network that George Kittle could be ready for the season opener, keeping a Week 1 return in play.
- Hours later, Kittle told CNBC he is ahead of schedule but does not expect to be back for the start of training camp, saying he will play a lot of football this season.
- Kittle tore his right Achilles on January 11 and had a clean, high tear near the soleus repaired by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a pattern surgeons say can shorten recovery.
- He reported steady rehab progress, noting he was on crutches for about 10 to 11 weeks and returned to walking by early April.
- A Week 1 appearance would be roughly eight months post‑injury, with San Francisco set to open September 10 in Melbourne against the Rams, and the team’s additions of Mike Evans and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling reduce pressure to rush him back.