49ers TE George Kittle (groin) is not expected to play Sunday against the Bears.

Kittle was listed as questionable for Week 1 but did not practice all week after suffering the injury on Monday. The 49ers are erring on the side of caution here with it only being Week 1. The 49ers are playing the long game here and playing it safe with Kittle. Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley and Tyler Kroft are the other tight ends on the San Francisco roster.

George Kittle has missed the last three days of practice due to a groin injury but was quoted as saying, “Feeling significantly better than where we were at Monday, even better than Wednesday, even better than Thursday. Taking great steps forward. Definitely doing everything I can to be on the field Sunday. I’ve had games in the past where I haven’t practiced all week and played. Hopefully, getting off the plane, I feel better tomorrow and Saturday, and then I have an actual opportunity to be out there and play.”

Related Players: Charlie Woerner

Judging by his comments, a betting person would likely put money down that Kittle plays on Sunday, but to what extent may be a question. In the first game of the season against the lowly Bears, the 49ers could be conservative with one of the, if not the, best all-around tight ends in the league. Charlie Woerner is listed as the TE2 on the depth chart, and the overall offensive explosiveness would take a hit if Kittle has to spend some or all of Sunday on the sideline.

49ers injury alert:
Tight end George Kittle has a groin issue and won't practice today.

Related players: Tyler Kroft, Ross Dwelley

The tweet quoted Shanahan as saying he, "Was hoping [Kittle would] be good today, did little Monday, we’ll have to see day by day." Owners will want to monitor this leading up to Sunday. Kroft and Dwelley are up next on the depth chart. The 9ers do have an early game at Chicago in Week 1 so owners will be able to adjust.

49ers passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik noted that Lance’s rapport with receiver Brandon Aiyuk, with whom he trained this offseason, is better now than it is with other 49ers’ targets like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle, per The Athletic article.

Related Players: Deebo Samuel, George Kittle

An unrelated note from Rohan Chakravarthi (@RohanChakrav) said that Trey Lance is mainly operating less than 10 yards down the field, so maybe a dink-and-dunk, run-centric offense is going to benefit Brandon Aiyuk. At this time last year, Aiyuk was coming off of fantasy draft boards much before Deebo Samuel, possibly a year too early.

The San Francisco 49ers are signing TE Tyler Kroft to a one-year deal.

Related Players: George Kittle, Charlie Woerner, Ross Dwelley

Kroft will compete for snaps alongside/behind George Kittle, which means a reduced role for the veteran. Kittle's injury history does put Kroft in play as a waiver wire pick-up during the season, and Kroft has had the most success amongst the remaining tight ends with the 49ers.

49ers RB Elijah Mitchell (concussion) and TE George Kittle (knee soreness) were not practicing Wednesday.

Related Players: JaMycal Hasty, Jeff Wilson Jr.

The hope was to have Mitchell carry the load Week 15, but no practice for him puts that in jeopardy.

Kittle should be good and his absence considered more of a precaution.

49ers TE George Kittle (calf) will be activated from IR Saturday.

Time to fire up Kittle in fantasy. He will be a top seven option immediately.

Tight end George Kittle is set to take a step back toward the 49ers lineup on Wednesday.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that the plan is for Kittle to take part in practice for the first time since he went on injured reserve with a calf injury in early October.

Kittle has missed three games as a result of the injury, but could be in the lineup for Sunday’s home game against the Cardinals if all goes well this week, the story speculated.

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan told reporters Wednesday that TE George Kittle (calf) is expected back Week 9.

Related Player: Ross Dwelley

Getting your top pass catcher back is a huge boon for either Jimmy Garoppolo or Trey Lance at QB. More on this if/when Kittle is activated from IR.

According to the report this appears to be a precautionary measure to fortify Kittle’s health for the remainder of the season. The move will keep Kittle on the sidelines for at least three weeks with a potential return slated for Week 9’s NFC West clash with the Cardinals.

On the field, Kittle’s impact cannot be replaced, but in fantasy expect Ross Dwelley to become a legitimate streaming candidate at tight end. Deebo Samuel should see his floor rise based on increased opportunity, while Brandon Aiyuk could be the biggest beneficiary of Kittle’s absence.