49ers TE George Kittle set to be out multiple weeks with hamstring injury

The San Francisco 49ers may have leaned heavily on Christian McCaffrey in their 17-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks, but they’ll now be without another key piece of their offense for the foreseeable future.

Star tight end George Kittle, who found the end zone for San Francisco’s first touchdown of the season on Sunday, was forced off with a hamstring issue. Per NFL Network, the injury is set to sideline him anywhere between three to five weeks.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the news on Monday, explaining that Kittle will be out for “a few weeks.” However, the team has yet to decide whether the All-Pro will be placed on injured reserve, which would guarantee a four-game absence.

With George Kittle sidelined, it was Jake Tonges who seized the spotlight, hauling in three receptions — including the decisive touchdown inside the final two minutes. Remarkably, the former undrafted free agent had never recorded a catch in a regular-season game before Sunday. His last target in live NFL action came all the way back in 2022 during a brief stint with the Bears.

For Kittle, 31, hamstring troubles are nothing new. He missed a pair of contests last year with similar issues, yet still delivered one of the finest campaigns of his career. His efforts earned him a fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance — and the sixth overall of his storied run with San Francisco.

George Kittle isn't the only San Francisco star causing concern. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that quarterback Brock Purdy is nursing both a sore left shoulder and a toe injury, casting doubt over his availability for Week 2’s trip to New Orleans. Shanahan admitted he couldn’t guarantee Purdy’s status, saying the QB’s condition will depend on how the injuries respond throughout the week.

Purdy picked up the toe issue during Sunday’s win over Seattle, and according to Shanahan, that knock is the more troublesome of the two.

Should Purdy be forced to the sidelines, the 49ers would turn to veteran Mac Jones. The former first-round pick has recent experience in relief duty, stepping in for Trevor Lawrence in Jacksonville last year. Across 10 appearances — including seven starts — Jones logged an even 8-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio while keeping the Jaguars’ offense afloat.