San Francisco 49ers’ All-Pro tight end George Kittle will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury. Initially listed as doubtful, Kittle was officially ruled out on Saturday before the team traveled to Los Angeles.
Kittle first experienced soreness after practice on Wednesday and subsequently missed the last two practices of the week. This adds to the growing list of key offensive players sidelined for the 49ers, including All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who is on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis, and star wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who strained his calf last week.
Kittle has been a reliable performer for San Francisco, registering 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first two weeks of the season. This will be his first missed game due to injury since he sat out the first two games of the 2022 season with a groin injury. He also rested during Week 18 last year after the 49ers secured the No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
The absence of Kittle, McCaffrey, and Samuel means the 49ers will be without three of their four players who accumulated over 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season. Together, they accounted for 39 of the team’s 60 offensive touchdowns in 2023.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has minimal experience without these three key players. According to ESPN, Purdy has only had 10 plays in his career without Kittle, McCaffrey, and Samuel on the field. During those plays, he went 3-for-7 for 49 yards and one interception, with most of those snaps occurring during a blowout loss to Kansas City in 2022, prior to his becoming the starter.
Eric Saubert is expected to fill in at tight end in Kittle’s absence. Saubert has played 45 offensive snaps in his first two games with the 49ers, catching two passes for 26 yards last week against the Vikings. The team has also elevated tight end Brayden Willis and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
