Bucs could dodge a bullet from 49ers this week that the Falcons may have to deal with instead

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head into their matchup on Sunday afternoon against the San Francisco 49ers as a team with a number of major injury question marks. However, one of the few teams in the league dealing with more injury issues is undoubtedly the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners' woes started in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, when star tight George Kittle suffered a hamstring injury that landed him on injured reserve. He's eligible to return off that list on Sunday against the Bucs.

However, according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, it sounds like he won't be available on Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Kyle Shanahan indicates a possible return for star TE George Kittle not this week against the Bucs, but rather next week against the Falcons

“Yeah, they’re all progressing," Shanahan said about Kittle and OL Ben Bartch, both of whom are on injured reserve. "Hopefully we’ll have a chance for Kittle next week. Just a chance. I don’t think Bartch is up next week though.”

And that team next week is the Atlanta Falcons, whom San Francisco will play on Sunday night football in Santa Clara. So, an absence on Sunday for Kittle and a return there would be a double whammy against Atlanta and for Tampa Bay. Last season against the Bucs, Kittle had 3 catches for 57 yards and a touchdown in San Francisco's 23-20 win.

In Kittle's absence this year, 49ers tight end Jake Tonges has largely filled his role in the passing game. In 5 games, he has 19 catches for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, over the last two games with QB Mac Jones, he has 99 of those yards and 2 scores. So, while Tonges doesn't bring the upside that Kittle does, he's still someone who's been effective in the passing attack and will have to be accounted for by the Bucs' defense. Last week, Seattle tight end AJ Barner had 7 catches for 53 yards and 2 touchdowns against Tampa Bay.

The Bucs and 49ers are set to kick off at 4:25 pm ET on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa.