49ers TE George Kittle has torn Achilles, team confirms

Field Level Media|published: Sun 11th January, 21:17 2026

Jan 11, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Demarcus Robinson (5) celebrates a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles with tight end George Kittle (85) during the first quarter in an NFC Wild Card Round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was carted off the field with an Achilles injury during Sunday's NFC wild-card win over the host Philadelphia Eagles.

He was quickly ruled out, and after the game coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Kittle had torn his Achilles.

"The trainers knew before the cart came out and got word to me in the headset," Shanahan said.

The Niners, who went on to beat the Eagles 23-19, will be without Kittle for their rematch with the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks next week -- and likely much longer.

Kittle caught a 6-yard pass with 5:58 left in the second quarter and his right leg appeared to buckle as he was being tackled by Marcus Epps. The cart came out and took the seven-time Pro Bowler to the locker room with the 49ers trailing the Eagles, 13-7.

It was the first catch of the game for Kittle, who had 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 starts during the regular season.

Kittle previously missed time with hamstring and ankle injuries during 2025 as San Francisco coped with numerous injuries all season long.

Kittle, 32, was in his ninth season with the 49ers, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2017. He has 595 career catches for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 games. He has four 1,000-yard seasons.

--Field Level Media

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