49ers TE George Kittle dropped to 214 pounds — a 30-pound loss — after his core muscle surgery (he wasn't able to work out).

Kittle is now fully healthy and back to 240-243 pounds, the rest of the tweet said. Last season, Kittle averaged 5.1 targets per game in 14 games with Deebo Samuel, and saw 18 targets in the two games Samuel missed. In the six games that Samuel has missed over the last two seasons, Kittle has averaged 5.2 receptions for 84 yards and 1.0 touchdown. He’s basically THE fantasy TE1 when Samuel is out and just another TE1 when Samuel is active. Keep in mind that Kittle is entering his age-31 season, though his advanced metrics are still elite.

The 49ers are working to finalize a deal with veteran TE Logan Thomas. After a 55-catch season with the Commanders in 2023, Thomas returns to the NFC West, where he began his career as a QB for the Cardinals.

Related Players: George Kittle, Brayden Willis

This is actually quite an interesting landing spot. Thomas won't have any immediate fantasy upside but would be a streaming option if Kittle were to miss any time.

For a second straight day, 49ers’ WR Deebo Samuel was a full participant at practice and is on track to play Sunday at Jacksonville.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, Ray-Ray McCloud, George Kittle

Looks like the bye week did Samuel some good, and if he's a full participant already, we should expect his normal workload upon his return. He has 397 yards and two all-purpose touchdowns through six games this season, and should be boosted back into WR2 consideration this week.

For the Sunday night game, Cowboys standout defender Micah Parson (knee) and 49ers standout offensive weapon Deebo Samuel (knee) will both be at less than 100%.

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Ronnie Bell

As Ian mentions in the video, Samuel did play in Week 4, although it was in an extremely limited role as they sprinkled in a couple of carries. Rapoport expects more for Week 5 but cautions that the team will be careful with his knee injury.

Update from the 49ers: Deebo Samuel has a MCL sprain and an ankle sprain and he's expected to return at some point during the regular season.

Related Players: Jordan Mason, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, Ray-Ray McCloud

This is a bummer for the team and fantasy purposes, as this impacts the playoff implications for both facets. If you don't have an IR spot, it may be a waste of a spot for Deebo if he isn't going to return before Week 17.

Deebo Samuel (hamstring) was limited for the second straight practice

Related Players: Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings

If Deebo were to miss, it's possible that there's a little more touchdown equity for the receiving corps as well as Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell. Samuel hasn't been used as often in the run game as he was in 2021, but he does have two rushing TDs on the season.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan says George Kittle is good to go for Week 3.

Kittle is immediately back in the top-3 tight end radar and is an immense boost to the 49ers in general.

George Kittle will be limited at 49ers practice today.

As the tweet went on to say, it's a good sign for his return at Denver on Sunday. Unfortunately, it's a Sunday night game so owners counting on Kittle will need a backup plan.

Now, head coach Kyle Shanahan is expressing optimism that George Kittle will return for Week 3 when the 49ers face the Denver Broncos on Sunday Night Football.

Hopefully the news will continue to trend in a positive direction for Kittle and his owners. The 49ers playing on Sunday night will be a challenge for owners who are counting on him in Week 3, though. Now is the time to get a backup plan in case he comes down to a game-time decision.