The San Francisco 49ers are entering a Week 17 matchup with so much to play for. A win could keep them on track to steal the NFC West from the Seattle Seahawks.
But more importantly, it would keep the door open to the 49ers taking the NFC's number 1 seed, and a first-round bye this playoffs. This Bears matchup is a huge one, and for the 49ers, getting George Kittle active would be a huge piece of news.
Amid an ankle injury that forced him out of the Week 16 matchup, Kittle has a chance to play this week. As Cam Inman of CBS-5 shared, John Lynch on KNBR revealed that Kittle will be a "game-time" decision for Week 17 against the Bears.
49ers get 'game-time' update on George Kittle
"George Kittle likely a game-time decision Sunday night on if he can rush back from MNF ankle injury to face Bears," Inman shared from Lynch's update on KNBR.
Kittle returning for the 49ers would be a massive boost for the offense. While the Bears aren't nearly in as dire a spot with their linebackers in Week 17, Kittle could still be a huge focal piece of the offense this week.
This season, despite missing a huge chunk of the year early, has 52 receptions for 599 yards and seven touchdowns. His connection with Brock Purdy is as good as ever, and he's become the team's top receiving threat.
Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall are solid options for Purdy, but Kittle is by far the biggest game-changer in the tight-end/wide receiver rooms for the 49ers.
More: George Kittle injury update is positive news for 49ers amid NFC West race
Christian McCaffrey is the most important offensive player for the 49ers outside of Purdy, but Kittle's playing would be just as big a piece of the offense.
This report is some positive news for the 49ers, as a game-time decision still leaves open the door for Kittle to be active.
It wouldn't be a surprise if he sat out, but this update reveals he has a chance to be active for Week 17 against the Bears.
For an important matchup, the 49ers might not be without their top receiving threat despite an ankle injury on Monday Night Football the prior week. It would be a quicker turnaround for Kittle, and a very impressive one at that.
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