The Los Angeles Rams will open their season against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, and one of the major storylines associated with the game centers on 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Kittle, who suffered a torn Achilles in the playoffs, is racing to be ready for the contest. He shared an update on his status this week, admitting it’ll be “a challenge” to be ready for Week 1 but he’s not ruling it out.
While having Kittle would be a massive advantage for the 49ers, here’s the reason why his absence would not be a major benefit for the Rams.
In 2025, the Rams lost to the 49ers 26-23 at home, despite Kittle missing that contest. The 49ers have had the Rams’ number in the regular season during the Shanahan-McVay era, especially when the 49ers had a roster to compete. Even when the 49ers have walked into games with injury-riddled lineups, they have found ways to be successful.
The 49ers utilize their potent run game to great effect, as defending the run can become a weakness within the Rams’ defensive scheme. In recent years, the 49ers have used an exterior passing attack to open the inside to be exposed to the run. Neither strategy requires the abilities of Kittle to execute.
Kittle’s determination to play is admirable, but it is not necessary. The 49ers are already walking into the game with a clear schematic advantage that Shanahan has used to perfection in the last two Rams-49ers games at SoFi Stadium. While the Rams did win the eventual contests in the bay, the 49ers were beaten down with injuries, while a rainstorm engulfed the field in 2024, adding a bit of context to those events.
The Rams did fix part of the problem by upgrading their outside cornerback room, but the 49ers added pieces as well, most notably Mike Evans.
The line between success and failure for the Rams is their ability to control the line of scrimmage with five men. The 49ers will force the Rams to play their standard run defense. However, the Rams have the tools to handle the tight ends associated with the formations the 49ers are destined to use.
In order for the Rams to be victorious, they will not need to worry about Kittle. They need to worry about their defense. Despite all the help, the question remains: Did the Rams do enough to stop the passing attack coming down the middle? Unless the Rams’ plan is to play zone coverage across the board, they will have to blitz the quarterback at some point.
If the 49ers run the ball, the Rams will need to ensure they have enough bodies to cover every gap so they don’t overpursue. If the 49ers pass, they’ll need defenders who can make plays on the ball in man coverage. Shula’s zone coverage has already been picked apart by Shanahan in the past, and the Rams struggled to get pressure on 49ers quarterbacks last season.
Thus, no matter what, Kittle’s potential absence does not improve the Rams’ chances. They remain in the same defensive deficit that they were in at the end of last season. Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson bring promise, but there’s no guarantee of success.
The good news is that both corners are trained to be key pieces in a defense that attacks the backfield. The problem is that neither covers Kittle, and in the 49ers offense, if Kittle isn’t healthy, there’s always someone else who can make up the passing production just enough for Shanahan to engineer another path to victory – like Jake Tonges did last season.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Why George Kittle’s potential Week 1 absence may not be an advantage for Rams
Reporting by Brock Vierra, Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
