The San Francisco 49ers, entering Week 17 and their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Chicago Bears, have a chance to secure the NFC West and the number 1 seed.
First, they need to win in Week 17, and a Week 18 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks could prove to be the deciding game for the NFC as a whole. But, for this upcoming Bears matchup, the 49ers are set to be shorthanded.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the 49ers got some bad news on George Kittle's availability for this week's matchup. Unfortunately, the 49ers are likely to be without Kittle for Week 17.
49ers expected to be without George Kittle for Week 17
"49ers TE George Kittle," Schefter reports, "listed as questionable for Sunday night due to a sprained ankle that prevented him from practicing last week, is 'highly unlikely' to play vs. The Bears, per source."
The Bears are catching a break, as Kittle isn't expected to suit up for the 49ers for this pivotal Week 17 Sunday Night Football matchup.
Kittle left the 49ers' Week 16 game early with this sprained ankle, and after not practicing all week leading up to this matchup, he's not slated to miss this game.
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Jake Tonges will take over the mantle as the starting tight end, and for Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense, they will have to rely upon Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall this week to maintain their chances for the NFC West.
Kittle shouldn't miss much longer than this week, as he could wind up playing in Week 18. But a loss to the Bears this week could leave the 49ers willing to sit Kittle out for Week 18 and ready to go for the playoffs.
But, for now, the 49ers will be down one of their best playmakers for a massive Week 17 game against the Bears in primetime. San Francisco will sorely miss Kittle, as he's highly unlikely to play this week.
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