The San Francisco 49ers have a big primetime game on Sunday Night Football against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
They'll be playing it without superstar tight end George Kittle.
The news seemed pretty likely heading into the weekend.
And when the official inactives report came out Sunday night, Kittle was ruled out.
MORE: Deion Sanders' reaction to Shedeur's terrible interception tells the whole story
Why isn't George Kittle playing tonight?
Kittle isn't playing on Sunday night because he's injured.
The star TE is dealing with an ankle injury. He didn't practice all week.
It's a bummer for Kittle, who had 151 receiving yards in last season's 49ers game against the Bears.
The 49ers have two clear candidates to see more tight end snaps with Kittle out.
Jake Tonges is more of a receiving threat of the backups. Luke Farrell will reprise much of Kittle's usual blocking role.
More NFL news:
- Derrick Henry just set an all-time NFL record
- Aaron Rodgers made an oddball decision with MVS
- Trey McBride set an all-time NFL TE record
- Drake Maye does something no one in NFL has ever done before
- This James Cook, Dalvin Cook brothers middle names fact is wild
- Joe Burrow completed a pass to a 345-pound lineman as a birthday present