San Francisco, United States
Sports Desk | NFL Coverage
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11, 2026, and was ruled out for the remainder of the game and upcoming divisional round, the team announced. The 49ers, trailing early, rallied to a 23–19 victory in Philadelphia, advancing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Divisional Round next weekend.
Kittle, a veteran All-Pro tight end, was injured in the second quarter on a 6-yard reception when his right leg buckled and he was carted off the field, with medical staff confirming a torn Achilles injury shortly after. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the severity and that Kittle will miss the rest of the postseason and likely a significant portion of the upcoming NFL season.
The 32-year-old posted 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns this season in 11 games despite previous stints on injured reserve with hamstring and ankle issues, marking another setback for one of the league’s premier tight ends.
Despite the injury blow, the 49ers capitalized on late offensive success, with quarterback Brock Purdy connecting on a go-ahead touchdown pass to running back Christian McCaffrey and key contributions from other offensive weapons. The 49ers’ defense also held firm down the stretch to secure the win.
In the locker room after the game, McCaffrey reflected on Kittle’s leadership, saying the team “carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year” and that his presence and energy remain influential, even in his absence.
Backup tight end Jake Tonges and other offensive personnel are expected to see expanded roles as the 49ers prepare for their next playoff matchup. San Francisco will travel to Seattle for the Divisional Round on January 17, where adjustments on offense without Kittle will be closely watched.
ALSO READ: T.K. Carter, Character Actor in Film and Television, Dies at 69
Hannah Price is a digital journalist who covers breaking news, global events, and trending stories with accuracy and speed. She has previously contributed to several online magazines and has built a reputation for verifying facts before publishing. Hannah believes in responsible reporting and aims to present stories in a way that readers can trust.
