Kittle Nears Week 6 Return as 49ers Shorthanded

Tight end George Kittle, who has been on injured reserve since Week 1 with a hamstring injury, has had “no setbacks” and has a “real chance” to return in Week 6 (Oct. 12), NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports. The 49ers remain significantly shorthanded — missing QB Brock Purdy, DE Nick Bosa and receivers Brandon Aiyuk (ruled out for Week 5 and still weeks away), Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings — with Pearsall and Jennings candidates to return soon. With Kittle out, the team has leaned on backups Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell, and Tonges produced a breakout game with touchdown production. San Francisco has still managed wins despite the injuries but faces risk of late-season attrition if key players remain unavailable. The broader injury landscape also includes Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who is not expected to play the next two games while he heals a hamstring, affecting other contenders.