49ers’ Kittle ready to return to action.
SANTA CLARA >> Defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw made a telling response when asked how excited he was for his 49ers prime-time debut Sunday night.
“That’s the thing. I’m not excited when I play. I’m very angry when I play,” Kinlaw said. “It’s not excitement for me.”
Tight end George Kittle had a different response Thursday, and for good reason.
Kittle declared himself, and specifically his left knee, ready to return from a two-game absence when the 49ers (2-1) host the Philadelphia Eagles (0-2-1) on “Sunday Night Football.”
“I just get excited at the opportunity. I mean, 5:25 on a Sunday night in Levi’s is pretty exciting. I know our fans won’t be there, but we’re going to feel them. It’s just going to be really exciting to get out there and play again. I’ve been missing it.”
Q ua r t erba ck Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to miss his second straight game, unable to practice since spraining his right ankle in a Sept. 20 win over the New York Jets. That means Nick Mullens is
poised to start a second straight game.
“I love watching Nick play. We have a connection,” Kittle said. “I mean, I love all three of our quarterbacks. I think they’re all great QBs. Getting a chance to play with Nick again, I’m excited about it. He’s a great QB.”
Kittle’s greatness historically shines under the prime-time lights, and he said he’s recovered enough so he can “let it loose” on Sunday night.
Four of his five touchdown catches last season came in prime time. He had at least five catches and 70 yards in each of the five prime-time games he played last season. The only prime-time game he missed coincided with the 49ers’ first loss, against Seattle in overtime.
Kittle’s been a full participant in practice this week. His knee sprain kept him limited last week in practice. This being Kittle, he said he wouldn’t have missed either win in New York had they been played later in the season with greater stakes, but he sided with coach Kyle Shanahan’s precautionary measure.
Kittle played throughout the season opener despite getting hurt just before halftime.
Likely joining Kittle in a Sunday night return is wide receiver Deebo Samuel, whose surgically repaired foot is responding well in practice and should trigger his activation off injured reserve before Saturday’s deadline to face the Eagles.
“I love Deebo, the way he plays. We play very similar when we get the ball in our hands,” Kittle said. “It’s just fun to be on the field with someone like that. And it will elevate the play of our wide receiver room, and they’re playing at a high level already.”
So is Mullens, who threw for 343 yards and a touchdown in a punt-free, turnover-free effort for his first victorious start since 2018.
“You guys know I love Nick. He’s the same ev
ery day,” Kittle said. “Even when he’s at practice, it feels like a game with him. He’s always locked in.”
Kittle produced 108 yards in Mullens’ starting debut two years ago, in a 34- 3, Thursday night rout of the Raiders.
“He is a leader out there. He leads in a different way,” Kittle added. “He just leads with his play, which is what I respect. He never messes up. He’s just there, consistent and works hard. That’s what our team responds well to, guys who go out and do their job and do it at a high level.”
Last Sunday, Kittle coddled up next to Garoppolo and specifically the quarterback’s earpiece to ease drop on the 49ers’ play calls.
“Jimmy got an earpiece so could hear all plays,” Kittle said. “I didn’t get one because I’m not a quarterback. I don’t know who I’ve got to talk to about that. I was watching with him and we went down and scored. The next series wasn’t very good, because I wasn’t standing next to him. I’m a superstitious guy so I watched the rest of the game next to Jimmy, making sure I was on his left side.”
MCKINNON’S HEALTH >> Jerick McKinnon (ribs) looks poised to start again in place of Raheem Mostert, who continued to rehab his knee sprain rather than practice. McKinnon is looking to become the first 49er since Jerry Rice (1991) to score a touchdown in the first four games of a season. OTHER INJURIES >> Defensive end Dee Ford (back) did not make a surprise appearance
and remains headed for injured reserve, likely Friday or Saturday.
Linebacker Dre Greenlaw (quadriceps) will miss his second straight game but is working out on the side.
C or nerba c k K ’ Wau n Williams ( hip) returned to practice but the 49ers r ema i n w it hout t hei r other opening- day starters of Richard Sherman (calf; eligible to come off injured reserve next week but no indication that will happen), and Emmanuel Moseley (concussion). Ahkello Witherspoon ( hamstring) warmed up before heading to a side for individual conditioning with Mostert as position drills began.
EAGLES INJURYWOES >> Greg Ward was the only Eagles wide receiver on their 53man roster to practice. Out were DeSean Jackson ( hamstring), Alshon Jeffery (foot), J. J. Arcega-Whiteside (calf) and John Hightower (illness). Rookie Jalen Reagor went on injured reserve earlier this week, along with tight end Dallas Goedert.
T IGHT E N D SUSPE N DED >> Chase Harrell, an undrafted rookie tight end on the practice squad, was suspended six games for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. With Jordan Reed going on injured reserve, the 49ers bolstered their depth by signing Daniel Helm off the Bucs’ practice squad, as well as adding Charlie Taumoepenu to the practice squad. Harrell is eligible for reinstatement Nov. 6, after the 49ers’ Week 9 game against Green Bay.