The San Francisco 49ers could receive a much-needed boost on Sunday.
Star tight end George Kittle is expected to return to action in time for a game against the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.
Kittle, 31, had caught four passes and the first touchdown of San Francisco's season in Week 1 before exiting with a hamstring injury and eventually being placed on injured reserve.
A six-time Pro-Bowler, Kittle is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he hauled in eight touchdowns on 78 catches for 1,106 yards. The two-time All-Pro has consistently been one of the 49ers' top offensive contributors since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2017 draft.
For his career, Kittle has four 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Kittle's return would be welcome for San Francisco, which lost star linebacker Fred Warner for the season on Sunday while starting quarterback Brock Purdy and receiver Ricky Pearsall remain day-to-day.
--with files from The Associated Press
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