San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said on Thursday that he is “fairly confident” that All-Pro tight end George Kittle will practice next week.
Kittle has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener and has missed the required minimum of four games. Lynch told KNBR that the two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection won’t play this week against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“I do believe we’re nearing, we’re getting there,” Lynch said.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Wednesday that Kittle won’t be available this week but could return from IR for Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons.
When Kittle officially is designated to return, he will have 21 days to practice and be activated to the 53-man roster or return to IR and be out for the season.
Kittle caught a 5-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and had four receptions on four targets for 25 yards before exiting in the first half of the 49ers’ 17-13 home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 7.
Kittle, who turned 32 on Thursday, caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight TDs last season, his eighth campaign with San Francisco since being a fifth-round draft pick in 2017. He has four career 1,000-yard seasons as part of his career totals of 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 TDs in 114 regular-season games (106 starts).
Kittle has another 33 receptions for 455 yards and two TDs in 12 playoff games (all starts).
He became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history in the offseason when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension ($19.1 million average) through 2029.
Lynch also said Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) is expected to be limited in Thursday’s session after not participating on Wednesday, and fellow receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee) won’t practice for the second straight day. Both players missed last week’s victory against the Los Angeles Rams.
