D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

George Kittle Injury News Emerges on Saturday Night

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Dec 28, 2025 1:21 AM ET

George Kittle is in a race to get healthy for the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The two-time All-Pro tight end is officially listed as questionable to play after sustaining an ankle injury in the Niners’ 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday.

Kittle was not able to practice all week, but there is still a chance that he suits up with the Niners still in the running for the NFC West title. Entering Sunday’s contest, San Francisco is 11-4 after winning four straight games. The 49ers are currently behind the 12-3 Seattle Seahawks, who are also in action on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) during an NFL game.© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Kittle was forced to exit the Colts game in the third quarter with an ankle problem. The seven-time Pro Bowler revealed in his postgame press conference that he sustained the injury in the second quarter because of an illegal hip-drop tackle, which was not called by the referees during the contest.

The NFL has reviewed the incidents from the 49ers-Colts game and has not found any irregularities in terms of an Indianapolis player taking Kittle down with a hip-drop tackle. No one from the Colts was fined from the Week 16 game.

On Saturday night, senior reporter Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network revealed that Kittle’s final status will be determined closer to kickoff.

“#49ers star TE George Kittle, who hasn’t practiced this week with an ankle sprain, will test out his ankle pregame to see if he can go, source said. While most players don’t play if they don’t practice all week, Kittle is intent on testing it out to see if he’s got a shot,” Rapoport posted on X.

#49ers star TE George Kittle, who hasn’t practiced this week with an ankle sprain, will test out his ankle pregame to see if he can go, source said. While most players don’t play if they don’t practice all week, Kittle is intent on testing it out to see if he’s got a shot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2025

Kittle missed five straight games at the start of the campaign after he suffered a hamstring injury in the Niners’ season-opener against the Seahawks. The 32-year-old is now in danger of missing his sixth contest of the season if his ankle does not respond well pregame.

The Niners will play at home on Sunday. They will host the Bears at Levi’s Stadium, with the primetime kickoff scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET.

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

More must-reads: