49ers' George Kittle targets early return from Achilles tear

Niners tight end expects to be back on the field well before November after successful surgery

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles during the wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11. Despite the severity of the injury, which often keeps players out for close to a year, Kittle is optimistic he can return to the field much sooner than expected, potentially as early as Week 1 of the 2026 season.

Why it matters

Kittle's quick recovery timeline would be a major boost for the 49ers, who rely heavily on their star tight end's production. The team may still look to add depth at the position this offseason, but Kittle's return would solidify their offense and provide a familiar target for the quarterback.

The details

Kittle's Achilles tear occurred high up near his soleus muscle, which has better blood flow than lower in the tendon. This, combined with the successful surgery performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache, has Kittle and the 49ers optimistic about his recovery. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Kaplan noted that Achilles injuries closer to the bone typically have a faster recovery timeline, potentially allowing Kittle to return in 5-6 months, around the start of the 2026 season.

  • Kittle suffered the Achilles tear on January 11 during the wild-card playoff game.
  • Kittle underwent successful surgery to repair the tear on January 14.
  • The 49ers' locker room cleanout was held on January 19, where Kittle expressed optimism about returning "well before November."

The players

George Kittle

A star tight end for the San Francisco 49ers who suffered a torn right Achilles in the team's wild-card playoff game.

Jed York

The owner of the San Francisco 49ers who went to Kittle's aid with a bottle of tequila after the injury.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache

The surgeon who performed the successful Achilles repair surgery on Kittle on January 14.

Dr. Daniel Kaplan

An orthopedic surgeon at NYU Langone Hospital who provided expert analysis on Kittle's injury and recovery timeline.

John Lynch

The general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, who expressed optimism about Kittle's recovery and return to form.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It felt like someone put a shotgun up against my calf and pulled the trigger. The second it happened; I knew exactly what it was.”

— George Kittle (abc30.com)

“They didn't have to drill into my heel. And where the repair was is where there's more blood flow. And so, it takes some time off the recovery time. He's very excited about everything, my recovery, when I'll be running, when I'll be ready to go play again ... It's not as bad as other ones, so just excited about that.”

— George Kittle (abc30.com)

“George will attack it in a great way. We're very hopeful to have him back. I remember when I first started playing, you had an Achilles, and everybody's like, 'oh man, that's tough. You're never the same.' That's not the case anymore. I think like a lot of things, they've gotten much better at the surgeries, they've gotten much better and more aggressive in the rehab and how quickly you get after it. And I think that will be the case for George and we expect to have him back next year and a big impact like he always has been for us.”

— John Lynch, General Manager, San Francisco 49ers (abc30.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Kittle's optimistic recovery timeline and the successful surgery performed by Dr. ElAttrache suggest the 49ers' star tight end could return to the field much sooner than expected, potentially providing a major boost to the team's offense in the 2026 season.