49ers roster moves: George Kittle to IR, Fred Warner practice window, TE promoted

The San Francisco 49ers promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad to the active roster on Tuesday, placing tight end George Kittle on injured reserve to create space. The team also opened the practice window for linebacker Fred Warner, who remains on injured reserve.

Kittle suffered a torn Achilles during Sunday's playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles, a season-ending injury that prompted the 49ers' tight end roster moves.

Opening Warner's practice window allows the All-Pro linebacker to begin working with the team as he prepares for a possible return next week, should the 49ers advance to the NFC Championship Game with a win over the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.

"We're not doing much, so he'll walk through with us out there today, and things like that, but hoping he can be ready for next week," head coach Kyle Shanahan said.

Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on October 12.

The 49ers Communications staff provided the following rundown.

Willis (6-4, 240) was originally drafted by the 49ers in the seventh round (247th overall) of the 2023 NFL Draft. Throughout his NFL career with the 49ers (2023-25), he has appeared in 23 regular-season games and three postseason contests, where he recorded one special teams tackle. In 2025, Willis signed with the team's practice squad on August 27 and has appeared in 6 games.

A 26-year-old native of Arlington, TX, Willis attended the University of Oklahoma (2018-22), where he appeared in 58 games (25 starts) and totaled 75 receptions for 998 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Kittle (6-4, 250) started in all 11 games in which he appeared and registered 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns this season.