The San Francisco 49ers and tight end George Kittle suffered a season-ending injury on Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that trainers and the coaching staff knew the severity immediately during the wild-card game, confirming the torn Achilles diagnosis.
"The trainers knew before the cart came out, so they got word to me on the headset," Shanahan said. "Yeah, it's a torn Achilles."
The All-Pro tight end was forced to leave the game due to a non-contact injury, which he sustained in the second quarter while planting his foot after a reception.
Kittle was involved in a viral moment after the game, which led The Athletic's Dianna Russini to report on a specific beverage delivery. Russini reported that a 49ers employee was seen carrying a bottle of tequila toward the locker room shortly after Kittle was carted off the field.
"A San Francisco 49ers employee just walked into the locker room carrying what appeared to be a bottle of tequila. Best guess? It’s for George Kittle," Russini tweeted.
Russini revealed later that the bottle was Patron, personally requested by Kittle. She noted that it was sent from team owner Jed York's suite.
Here’s what I found out:
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 12, 2026
*It was Patron tequila
*The bottle was sent from the owner from his suite to Kittle after he requested it
*That bottle is now empty https://t.co/QZkdLAXXD3
Along with George Kittle, the 49ers are losing more players
Later on Sunday, coach Shanahan confirmed that tight end George Kittle, along with a few other key players, was evaluated after the trainers realized the severity immediately. It was a disappointing conclusion to the campaign for Kittle, who is set to miss the start of the 2026 season.
"Losing Kittle early in the game just was obviously a depressing play for everybody when you see that, and guys stepped it up and still made plays and competed, and to find a way to win that game, we thought it would be a grimy game is how we say it," Shanahan said.
Ji'Ayir Brown also left the contest with a hamstring injury, further depleting the secondary in the Wild Card round.
Quarterback Brock Purdy overcame the attrition in the final possession of regulation and continued his roll in the playoffs as the 49ers led a game-winning touchdown drive. Shanahan shed light on Purdy’s mental toughness during the game, including rebounding from two earlier interceptions.
"So impressed because there were two mistakes,” the coach said. “He'd love to take back but to play like he did on that last drive, especially after two throws, like that, he was unbelievable, I mean, he kept letting a rip, the guy was not scared to fail at all, which you can't be to make some of those plays."
Running back Christian McCaffrey scored on a sky bang reverse pass thrown by wide receiver Jauan Jennings. According to Shanahan, the defensive unit was responsible for keeping the team in the game, specifically, linebackers Eric Kendricks and Garrett Wallow played at a high level, he said.
The 49ers’ quest to win the title will continue in the Divisional Round. They will face the Seattle Seahawks.
More San Francisco 49ers News:
- San Francisco advances behind Christian McCaffrey's star showing
- Jauan Jennings 'can't wait' to play Seahawks next after big game for 49ers
- Inside Brock Purdy's playoff record, stats
- George Kittle injury update after 49ers' win over Eagles is devastating news