Star TE, team’s leading receiver Kittle downplays his groin injury
Tight end George Kittle suited up for practice Thursday and downplayed a groin injury that kept him out the previous day.
Asked if he’s OK, Kittle said: “Aren’t I always? They say that (injury report) just to mess with you guys.”
Kittle (31 catches, 338 yards) is the 49ers’ leading receiver, just as he was last season while playing through a rib injury later in the year. He’s missed only one game in his career and started the past 21.
He had a season-high 103 yards in the 49ers’ 20-7 win Sunday at the Los Angeles Rams, recording seven of his eight receptions before halftime.
During that game, NFL Films microphones
picked up a humorous conversation Kittle had on the sideline with left tackle Joe Staley, both playfully using a Canadian accent. “I got Staley to start talking, I threw a Canadian accent in and Staley went with it,” said Kittle, noting he’s been pulling that gag dating back to his Iowa days. What did Richard Sherman think of fellow cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s trade Tuesday from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Los Angeles Rams, at the cost of two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder?
“It seems like they gave up a lot for him. It’s going to be great for him, because he has a lot of leverage, and I wish they tried not to pay him at this point,” Sherman said. “You give up two firstrounders and it’s like, ‘Oh, we’re going to play hardball in these negotiations.’ Yeah, back up the Brinks truck to his house and then call him when you’re done.”
Ramsey is signed through 2020, as is Sherman, who negotiated his own deal with the 49ers last year. Ramsey is set to make $13 million in base salary next year; Sherman is getting $7 million.
Sherman has two interceptions this season on the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense, and he made a touchdown- saving tackle at the 1-yard line on Sunday’s goal-line stand against the Rams. In that win, he sustained a nerve stinger that temporarily put him out of action, as his left arm went numb from his shoulder to his finger tips. He’s practiced both days this week.
“It’s been a pleasure to have him and he’s been everything and more from a leadership standpoint,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said of Sherman. HEALTH CENTER » Wide receiver Deebo Samuel (groin) did not practice for a second straight day. He has 15 receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown through five games. If he is unable to go and the 49ers still want five active receivers, Jordan Matthews could suit up for the first time after being inactive the past two games upon re-signing with the club.
Nose tackle D. J. Jones (hamstring) also remained out of action after Sunday’s injury. Saleh noted that Solomon Thomas helped fill in for Jones last game and could do so again. Jullian Taylor is another option to line up on the interior after being inactive for all but the first two games.