George Kittle knows his target of being ready for Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season is ambitious.
The 49ers’ star tight end suffered a torn Achilles in their wild-card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles in January, leaving him in a very difficult position for the 2026 season given a typical timeline of nine to 12 months for a return to high-impact sports.
But Kittle has made it clear he is targeting a very quick recovery and is hoping to be healthy in time for the 49ers’ season opener.
That would obviously
be a huge boost to the 49ers due to Kittle’s still tremendous impact on their offense.
But an unusual feature of the 49er schedule may prevent Kittle from making that lofty ambition a reality.
Reiterating his target to Baker Machado of Front Office Sports, Kittle said: “Hey, that’s the goal. That’s what my goal is. I was told it’s not a crazy goal. And so, as long as I keep on the right path and everything goes the right way, hey, I got a chance.
“As a 15-hour flight and a game like four days before a normal opening day, that might make it a little bit difficult—sure, but who doesn’t like a challenge? So, no, I’ve got a chance, like I said, so just going to keep my head down, keep grinding every single day.”
Kittle is of course referring to the fact that the 49ers’ season opener takes place in Melbourne, Australia, as they face the Los Angeles Rams at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground in the first NFL game to be played Down Under.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan has made no attempt hide his disdain for the extra travel the 49ers have on their plate this season, which could well hinder Kittle’s bid to step onto the field Week 1 at the MCG.
The 49ers’ plan to land in Australia a week before the game may help Kittle if he is close to being ready but, regardless of what happens with his efforts to make the season opener, the seven-time Pro Bowler is determined to prove the doubters wrong.
“At least, if we started the season off at home, and I didn’t have to hop on a plane for 15 hours, it might be different,” Kittle added. “But I think it just depends on how I’m feeling, if I’m cleared to go. If I’m cleared, hey, I’ll be there, and I’ll be on the field. And if they’re like, ‘Hey, it’s close,’ it’ll be a game-time decision. So, we’ll see.
“Everybody keeps telling me I won’t be back until Week 6, 7, or 8, and I’ll be like, ‘You guys believe whatever you want to believe.’ My goal is to be back there as early as possible.”
