49ers Make George Kittle Announcement on Sunday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 7:13 PM ET

George Kittle has been nursing an ankle injury in the build-up to the San Francisco 49ers’ “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Chicago Bears. The two-time All-Pro tight end sustained the injury in the Niners’ Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts and was later diagnosed with a low-to-mid-grade left ankle sprain.

Kittle, who has registered 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games played this season, missed practice all week long as he continued to battle through the injury. However, he still had a chance to suit up against Chicago after the Niners refused to rule him out for the game. Kittle headed into the contest as questionable to play.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during an NFL game.Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Kittle said after the Colts game that an illegal horse-collar tackle caused his injury. However, no penalties of this nature were called during the game, and the NFL did not issue any retroactive fines in relation to Kittle’s claim.

On Saturday night, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported that Kittle planned to test his ankle before the game before a final decision on his playing status is made. It appears that the 32-year-old did just that ahead of kickoff, but it does not seem like the ankle responded well.

The Niners announced just before the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff at Levi's Stadium that Kittle has officially been ruled out for Sunday’s primetime contest.

“George Kittle will be inactive for Sunday Night Football,” the team posted on X.

George Kittle will be inactive for Sunday Night Football.

Full @DignityHealth inactives: https://t.co/0MaWJwKzB1 pic.twitter.com/RVblQ9bj6H
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 28, 2025

This will be Kittle’s first game out since he missed five straight contests early in the season due to a hamstring injury. His next chance to play would be in Week 18 as the Niners close out their campaign in a home game against the Seattle Seahawks, with the NFC West title potentially on the line.

The silver lining for San Francisco is that Ricky Pearsall has been cleared to play against the Bears. The 25-year-old wide receiver was forced to sit out against the Colts due to ankle and knee injuries, but he will be able to make his return against Chicago on Sunday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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