The awful injury bug has cruelly struck George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers once again.
Both George Kittle and wide receiver Jauan Jennings were injured in Sunday’s season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, a 17-13 San Francisco victory. Their injuries prompted the front office to bring back old friend Kendrick Bourne on a one-year deal on Monday.
With All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk still sidelined and veteran wideout Demarcus Robinson serving a three-game suspension, the 49ers couldn’t afford more injuries to key players. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what has happened.
Per ESPN, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said they expect George Kittle to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury he suffered in the win against Seattle. On top of that, starting quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder and toe injuries) might not play in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.
Kittle had four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown before leaving Sunday’s game with said hamstring injury. The six-time Pro Bowler caught 78 passes for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns last year.
Other 49ers Players Must Step Up With George Kittle Sidelined
The 49ers are still waiting to see if Purdy and Jennings will be able to play against New Orleans on Sunday. With Aiyuk, Kittle and Robinson definitely sidelined, the 49ers need their other skill position guys to step up.
The good news is they still have one of football’s premier game-changers in do-it-all running back Christian McCaffrey. Pearsall, a 2024 first-round pick, can also build off a four-catch, 108-yard game against Seattle on Sunday.
Additionally, Kendrick Bourne spent four seasons in San Francisco and helped them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2019. A former 800-yard receiver in New England, Bourne knows the ins and outs of Kyle Shanahan’s offense and has the ability to produce right away.
