After departing San Francisco’s Week 1 victory with a hamstring injury, Iowa football legend and 49ers star tight end George Kittle has been given a troubling injury diagnosis.
As the ninth-year NFL veteran attempts to lead the 49ers back to their third Super Bowl appearance in the past seven seasons, he and the franchise now know that Kittle’s return to play won’t be immediate.
After MRI testing, the 49ers placed Kittle on injured reserve as he nurses an injured hamstring, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kittle exited Sunday’s Week 1 contest against the Seattle Seahawks in the early going after notching four receptions for 25 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown grab in the 49ers’ eventual 17-13 victory from Lumen Field.
The loss of Kittle adds to the list of 49ers’ injury concerns entering the team’s Week 2 matchup at New Orleans on Sept. 14, including star quarterback Brock Purdy, wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and left tackle Trent Williams.
With Kittle out for the next four weeks, the earliest he can be activated off the injured reserve list will be the 49ers’ October 12 matchup vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida..
San Francisco will be reliant on Luke Farrell, Jake Tonges, and potentially a practice squad call-up, Brayden Willis, as their operative tight ends moving forward.
Now regarded as one of the league’s most dependable tight ends, he is beloved by Iowa fans for his tenure from 2012-16 with the Hawkeyes, which saw him record 737 receiving yards on 48 receptions for 10 touchdowns in 40 games played.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football legend, 49ers star George Kittle receives disappointing injury update
Reporting by Scout Springgate, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
