Injured Kittle expects to play
George Kittle might not practice this week, but that doesn’t mean the 49ers’ AllPro tight end won’t play Sunday against the Jets.
Kittle, who played through a host of injuries in his first three seasons, didn’t practice Wednesday because of a sprained left knee he suffered in a seasonopening loss to the Cardinals on Sunday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Kittle might participate only in Friday’s onehour, halfspeed session, if he practices at all.
“Kittle is one guy that if he’s ready to go on Sunday, and the doctors say he’s good to go, we have no problem with him going without practicing,” Shanahan said.
Kittle played 61 of 62 snaps in the season opener. He came off the field only after he was injured when he was hit around the midsection by Arizona safety Budda Baker late in the second quarter. Kittle wasn’t targeted with a pass in the second half after he had four receptions for 44 yards in the first two quarters.
Kittle has played in 46 of 49 career games while appearing on the injury report with knee, ankle, groin, rib, back, calf, elbow, hamstring and hip injuries.
“He’s battling,” Shanahan said. “He thought he’d be all right. He woke up (Monday) a little sore. He fully expects to be there Sunday, like he always does. Like he always plays through the game” when he’s injured. Sanu could debut: The 49ers could have another passcatcher play Sunday after barely practicing: wide receiver Mohamed Sanu.
Sanu, 31, who was signed Tuesday, can’t practice until Friday because he has to undergo coronavirus testing. However, he can attend meetings virtually this week and he has familiarity with Shanahan’s system. They were together in 2016 when Shanahan was the Falcons’ offensive coordinator.
“Bringing in Mo and having someone like him available right now is very fortunate because he can come in and do whatever we ask him to do,” Shanahan said. “He’s very smart. He knows all the positions. The thing about him that I enjoyed the most is how tough he is. How competitive he is. The game’s not too big for him. If he showed up Sunday and we needed him, he’d go in there and fight.”
The 49ers finished the opener with just three healthy wide receivers, and Richie James, who suffered a hamstring injury, didn’t practice Wednesday. Rookie firstround pick Brandon Aiyuk (hamstring) was a full participant in practice, a strong indication he will make his NFL debut against the Jets.
“Mo will do his part,” Shanahan said. “He’s a pro. He’ll learn his responsibilities. … Basically the decision on whether he’ll play or not probably is going to depend on our (receivers’ health) and how that goes this week.”