RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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The San Francisco 49ers are getting a big boost to their offense ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
The 49ers announced on Sunday, Aug. 23, they had activated veteran tight end George Kittle from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
Kittle's activation comes after reports he was "ahead of schedule" in his rehabilitation from a torn right Achilles tendon . The 32-year-old suffered the injury in the 49ers' wild-card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles, which cast doubt on his availability for the start of the 2026 NFL season.
However, all recent updates about Kittle's recovery had been positive, and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan recently told reporters he expected Kittle to be back "sooner than later."
"George isn't a big put-a-date-on-it (guy) and I'm not going to be that dude either, but I think you guys can tell how he's talking, how he looks," Shanahan said in a media availability on Tuesday, Aug. 18. "I agree, I think it's sooner than later."
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Will George Kittle play in Week 1?
Next up for Kittle will be determined when exactly he can return to the field. San Francisco's decision to activate him indicates they believe he will be ready to play at some point over the first four weeks of the season; Kittle would have had to miss at least four weeks of action had he remained on the PUP list entering the 2026 campaign.
Still, Kittle will need to ramp up his football activity to have a chance to play in NFL Week 1, which he has communicated is his goal.
"I want to play in every football game that I possibly can play in, but I'm also aware it's an 18-week season," Kittle said during an Aug. 16 news conference . "So, hey, if you miss Week 1 and you're playing Week 2, hey, it is what it is. I'm just going to keep that as my goal, and then we'll adjust from there if we need to.
"But you know, I still believe that," Kittle said, referencing the possibility of playing in Week 1 and throughout the 2026 season. "My team still believes that. My surgeon still believes that I have a chance . So, just keep attacking it."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers activate George Kittle from PUP list. Will he play Week 1?
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