George Kittle has built a reputation as one of the most effective tight ends in the NFL, regardless of his role — whether as a pass-catcher or blocker, the San Francisco 49ers star has cemented himself as one of the best players at his position.
Part of Kittle's stardom has always been connected to his toughness, playing a position that typically isn't very forgiving. Tight ends do plenty of dirty work for an offense, and that means Kittle has had his share of injuries in the past.
Potentially the worst ailment of Kittle's career came in the 2026 playoffs, however, as he exited the 49ers' Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles with an Achilles injury feared to be a tear.
Here's a breakdown of George Kittle's injury history.
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George Kittle injury history
Foot sprain, October 2016, Iowa
When he was in college, Kittle injured his foot in October 2016 during his senior season as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
The injury to Kittle's right foot caused him to be limited the rest of the season, including two missed games.
Hamstring injury, August 2017, 49ers
Kittle's first reported injury issue in the NFL came just before his rookie season began. In training camp before the 2017 season, he missed around a week with a hamstring injury.
The tight end, however, was ready by Week 1 and made his debut, totaling 27 yards against the Panthers.
Ankle sprain, November 2017, 49ers
Later in Kittle's rookie season, he missed one game for the 49ers due to a sprained ankle.
Kittle returned the following week and played out the remainder of his first NFL season.
Shoulder A/C Joint Separation, August 2018, 49ers
Prior to the 2018 season, Kittle dealt with another training camp ailment. He separated his right shoulder in San Francisco's preseason opener.
However, there was no structural damage for Kittle, and he was ready by Week 1 of the 2018 season.
Knee sprain, October 2019, 49ers
Kittle's first multi-game absence in the NFL came in October 2019, when he injured his knee against the Arizona Cardinals. On the first play of the game, he injured his knee and missed the next few plays before returning, catching six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown a victory.
However, the tight end then wound up missing two games with a knee sprain.
Hamstring strain, August 2020, 49ers
One of Kittle's lighter injury issues was a hamstring strain prior to the 2020 season, but the star tight end played through his tight hamstring.
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MCL sprain, September 2020, 49ers
Early in the 2020 season, Kittle injured his knee. He sustained a sprained left MCL in Week 1, causing him to miss the following two 49ers matchups.
He made a return from the injury in a big way, posting 15 receptions for 183 yards and a touchdown on "Sunday Night Football" against the Eagles.
Foot fracture, November 2020, 49ers
While Kittle made a return from his sprained MCL in 2020, soon after, he suffered a longer-term injury. In the 49ers' Week 8 loss, the tight end fractured a bone in his foot.
Kittle was placed on IR for the first time in his career, and he missed around two months before a return to action in late December, being activated on Christmas Day.
Calf strain, September 2021, 49ers
Following the 49ers' Week 3 loss to the Packers in 2021, Kittle began dealing with a calf injury. Initially, he played through it, but the ailment proved too extensive to ignore.
Kittle was placed on IR, missing about a month for San Francisco before a return to the field in November. He posted six catches for 101 yards and a touchdown in his return.
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Groin strain, September 2022, 49ers
Early in the 2022 season, Kittle missed two games with a groin strain.
It wouldn't be the last time a groin issue would hold him back, however, as a nagging groin injury followed him in 2023.
Groin injury, 2023 season, 49ers
Between a training camp groin pull that resulted in a week of missed practices, plus another groin injury sustained in November of the 2023 season, Kittle dealt with issues throughout his age-30 season.
Kittle played through the groin issues, but then underwent surgery after the 2023 season.
Hamstring sprain, September 2024, 49ers
A chain of hamstring issues began for Kittle in the 2024 season. He missed the 49ers' Week 3 game with a hamstring injury.
It was just a one-game absence for the tight end, but the injury re-appeared later in 2024.
Hamstring sprain, November 2024, 49ers
Kittle once again sat out in Week 11 of the 2024 season due to a hamstring sprain, another one-game absence.
Hamstring tear, September 2025, 49ers
Around a year after he had shorter-term absences due to his hamstring, Kittle faced a longer-term recovery early in the 2025 season due to a Grade 3 torn hamstring.
After the Week 1 injury, Kittle missed five games, one of many injuries for the 49ers throughout the 2025 campaign. He was activated on Oct. 15, 2025.
Ankle sprain, December 2025, 49ers
The second injury of Kittle's 2025 season came in Week 16 against the Colts. He sustained a left ankle sprain in that matchup, in which he totaled seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Kittle missed the 49ers' following game before returning to the field.
Achilles injury, January 2026, 49ers
While Kittle has had years of nagging injuries, he's typically been able to either play through them, or return to the field after a short-term absence. When he went down against the Eagles in the first round of the 2026 NFL Playoffs, however, it was feared Kittle had a longer recovery than usual ahead of him.
Kittle was carted off the field in the Wild Card Weekend matchup, and the 49ers quickly called it an Achilles injury for their veteran tight end. With the possibility that he tore his Achilles, he was set to be out for the remainder of the playoffs and potentially part of the 2026 regular season.
As feared, the 49ers said TE George Kittle is out after suffering an Achilles injury. Pic.twitter.com/O95uDJtipj
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2026
Prayers up for George Kittle 🙏 pic.twitter.com/BaRVd2sWwp
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 11, 2026
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