One of the best players for the San Francisco 49ers might not be playing in Monday night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Per Kyle Shanahan, tight end George Kittle is listed as doubtful for Monday Night Football.
Kittle has been held out of practice all week. Shanahan said if things continue like this, playing on Monday is not going to happen.
The injuries in question were sustained in the 49ers’ previous Thursday night game against the Arizona Cardinals. Kittle’s knee went into the helmet of a Cardinals player and he went to the sidelines. While he managed to come into the game and get a touchdown while carrying the entire Cardinals defense on his back, it clearly was an issue. Kittle was held out for all of the 49ers’ practices this week.
So now the 49ers are without their best tight end. That means more work for Ross Dwelley. Garrett Celek, who has returned from injury might be getting some work on Monday night as well.
Meanwhile, the Seahawks get a break. Kittle is one of the most dangerous players on the field, both as a pass catcher and as a runblocker and his absence is going to really hurt. We’ve all stated the moment Kittle goes down is the moment the 49ers are in for a world of hurt.
Now’s the time to hope that we are wrong.