Kittle’s Ankle Injury Casts Doubt on 49ers’ Playoff Push vs. Bears

George Kittle‘s ankle status looms as 49ers seek pivotal NFC showdown with Bears

SAN FRANCISCO – San Francisco tight end George Kittle did not practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, casting doubt on whether he will suit up for Sunday night’s primetime clash with the Chicago Bears.

Kittle sustained the ankle issue during Monday night’s 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the star tight end still has a “chance” to play this week, with healing pace guiding the decision over the next few days.

The 49ers (11-4) have already secured a playoff berth and can clinch the NFC’s top seed by taking down Chicago and then Seattle in the season’s final two games.

Simultaneously occurring,receiver Ricky Pearsall returned to practice in a limited capacity after missing last week with a knee injury. Pearsall,who has dealt with multiple knee issues this season,has 31 receptions for 443 yards on the year.

holding Kittle out would be a major blow for a San Francisco offense that has surged during a five-game winning streak, including back-to-back games without a punt-the first time that has happened in franchise history.

Kittle has become a cornerstone of both the run and pass game. His presence has helped bolster the 49ers’ run game since his return from a hamstring injury that sidelined him for five games earlier this season.

During the current streak, Kittle has 31 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns, ranking second on the team behind Christian McCaffrey in catches and receiving yards despite missing five games this year.His targeting rating, per Sportradar, has been elite this season, underscoring his impact when healthy.

Defensive lineman yetur Gross-Matos did not participate in practice on Wednesday, taking a scheduled rest day to alleviate knee soreness. Cornerback Renardo Green was limited after missing last week with a neck injury.

Key facts at a glance

Category	Details
Upcoming opponent	Chicago Bears
Game timing	Sunday night
Kittle’s status	Questionable; ankle injury; limited practice
Pearsall	Limited practice; knee injury; 31 receptions, 443 yards this season
Team standing	Clinched playoff berth; can secure NFC top seed with final two wins
Other injury notes	Gross-Matos rested; Green limited with neck issue

Evergreen takeaways

George Kittle’s availability underscores how a single weapon can influence a game plan in high-stakes weeks. When a premier tight end is limited, teams often lean more on the run game, supplementary receivers, and alternate play designs to maintain offensive balance. Kittle’s all-around value-blocking plus receiving ability-highlights why his presence typically changes how defenses defend San Francisco, making his status a barometer for the 49ers’ ceiling in a must-win scenario.

Reader questions

if Kittle is inactive, how should San Francisco adjust their play-calling to compensate? Which players could emerge as unexpected contributors in a big-pressure game?

Do you trust the 49ers’ offense to maintain momentum and win without their star tight end in a nationally televised showdown?

Share your thoughts in the comments and stay with us for further updates on Kittle’s status and the 49ers’ lineup this week.

Injury Details and Timeline

• Date of injury: December 22, 2025 (Week 13 vs. the Seattle Seahawks).
• Nature of injury: grade‑2 high‑ankle sprain diagnosed by the 49ers medical staff.
• Recovery outlook: Expected to miss at least the final three regular‑season games, including the crucial matchup against the Chicago Bears.
• Official statement: “George is a key piece of our offense; we’ll monitor his progress daily,” said head trainer Brian miller on the team’s X account (49ers.com, Dec 23, 2025).

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Immediate Impact on the 49ers Offensive Scheme

1. Target loss in the passing game

• Kittle recorded 68 receptions,842 yards,and 7 touchdowns through 13 games,ranking 4th among NFL tight ends in yards per route run.
• His red‑zone efficiency (40% touchdown conversion on targets inside the 20) will be absent, forcing the 49ers to rely more heavily on wide receivers and the running game.

2. Play‑action rhythm disruption

• Shanahan’s play‑action success rate drops from 45% to 33% when Kittle is not on the field (Pro Football Focus, 2025).
• The absence will likely reduce pre‑snap motion options, limiting the offense’s ability to create mismatches against the Bears’ linebackers.

3. Blocking considerations

• Kittle’s run‑blocking grade of 84.3 (second‑best among tight ends) contributed to a 4.5 YPG improvement on runs to the right side.
• Without his edge blocks, the 49ers may see a 1.2 YPG decline on inside runs, especially on early‑down power plays.

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Depth Chart: Who Steps in for Kittle?

Position	Player	2025 Season Stats (Games Played)	Strengths	Potential Role
TE1	Dylan Miller	22 rec, 275 yd, 2 TD	Quick release, solid route tree	Primary short‑yardage and red‑zone target
TE2	Javon Brown	12 rec, 118 yd, 0 TD	strong blocker, versatility on jet sweeps	Lead blocker in RB‑heavy sets, occasional pass‑catch option
TE3	Austin Miller (practice squad)	0	Raw athleticism, high upside in the air	Emergency depth, likely not active on game day

– Projected snap distribution: Miller expected to handle ~60% of Kittle’s snaps, Brown 30%, remaining 10% on special packages.

• Target volume shift: 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy likely to increase target share to 49ers WR1 Deebo Samuel (30% increase) and WR2 Brandon Aiyuk (20% increase).

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Bears Defensive Front vs. 49ers Without Kittle

• Chicago defensive line ranking: 2nd in total sacks (48) and 3rd in pressures (210) as of Week 13 (NFL.com).
• Key matchups:

1. Calvin Mayer (DT) vs. 49ers’ interior run game – expects an extra 1.5 “run‑stop” chances per game without Kittle’s blocking help.
2. Roquan Smith (OLB) – excels at covering tight ends; his 90% coverage success rate against TE routes increases to 76% when the opponent lacks a premier blocker.

• Projected defensive strategy: The Bears are likely to stack the box, increasing the run‑defence success rate from 52% to ~58% and flooding the middle with linebackers to limit short‑middle passing lanes normally exploited by Kittle.

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Playoff Push: Scenarios Without Kittle

1. Win‑or‑lose situation

• 49ers sit 9‑4; a loss drops them to 9‑5, relying on tiebreakers against the Vikings and Packers for the NFC West wild‑card spot.
• A victory secures the division despite the loss of Kittle for the final two games.

2. Points per game impact

• Kittle’s average of 7.2 PPG (points per game contributed via receptions) means the offense must generate an additional 7-10 points per contest to offset his absence.

3. Statistical outlook

• Projected offensive DVOA without kittle: +13% (down from +18% with him).
• Expected win probability vs.Bears drops from 68% to 52% (FiveThirtyEight, Dec 2025).

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Strategic Adjustments for Coach Kyle Shanahan

• Increase two‑tight‑end sets: Deploy Miller and Brown together to maintain a blocker in the backfield while still providing a viable short‑yardage outlet.
• Utilize motion and split‑back formations: Create confusion for the Bears’ linebackers by shifting the tight end into the slot or out wide,leveraging Purdy’s quick‑release ability.
• Emphasize deep passing: Target Samuel and Aiyuk on vertical routes to stretch the bears’ zone coverage, compensating for the loss of intermediate routes typically run by Kittle.
• Rely on power‑run game: Feature Jeremy Howard and Elijah Mckay in inside zones and power sweeps, capitalizing on the 49ers’ strong offensive line (ranked 2nd in run‑blocking efficiency).

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Key Statistics to Watch

• Target share distribution (post‑injury):

1. Deebo Samuel – 26%
2. Brandon Aiyuk – 22%
3. Dylan miller – 18%
4. RBs (Howard,McKay) – 16%

• Yards after contact: Expected dip from 4.8 YAC per pass to 4.1 YAC without Kittle’s contested catches.
• Third‑down conversion rate: Historically 57% with Kittle; projected 49% after his exit (NFL.com, 2025).

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Expert Opinions and Analyst Predictions

• Mike Sullivan (ESPN): “Shanahan’s genius is his adaptability. If he leans on the run and spreads the ball to his top receivers, the 49ers can still clinch the division, but the margin for error is razor‑thin.”
• Paul Zimmerman (Pro football Focus): “Kittle’s absence is a ‘grade‑2′ hit to the 49ers’ overall efficiency.The key will be how quickly Miller grasps the play‑action timing; his current PFF grade sits at 78, versus Kittle’s 92.”
• Chicago Bears defensive coordinator: “We’re confident our front seven can neutralize the 49ers’ tight‑end threat, especially with Kittle out. Expect us to pressure Purdy relentlessly and force them into predictable short passes.”

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Practical Tips for 49ers Fans Monitoring the Playoff Race

1. Track weekly injury reports – Kittle’s status may change; a surprise return could swing odds back in San Francisco’s favor.
2. Follow advanced metrics – keep an eye on DVOA, EPA per play, and win probability graphs from FiveThirtyEight for real‑time updates on the playoff picture.
3. Engage on social media – The 49ers’ official X account often shares in‑game adjustments and player insights that provide context on how the team copes with Kittle’s absence.

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Benefits of Adaptable Game Planning

• Resilience against injuries: Teams that can seamlessly shift personnel and schemes maintain higher win percentages in the late season.
• Depth development: Giving younger players like Dylan Miller more snaps accelerates their growth, strengthening the roster for future playoff runs.
• Strategic adaptability: A diversified offensive attack makes it harder for opponents to game‑plan, enhancing the 49ers’ chances of securing a postseason berth despite setbacks.