It appears to be confirmed for George Kittle

George Kittle refuses to rule out a dramatic return in the very first game of the 2026 NFL season.

The San Francisco 49ers star is continuing his rehabilitation after a serious injury to his right Achilles tendon, but he remains convinced he could be fit enough to make the trip to Australia.

The 49ers are set to kick off their season against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, a game that could therefore become a race against the clock for Kittle.

The 32-year-old veteran is cautiously optimistic. He says he still has a chance to make the flight that will take the team to Australia. His goal is simple: to gradually progress through the various stages of his recovery without rushing his return.

Kittle has already resumed running and is pushing his body to regain the feel and speed he had before his injury. He explains that he is now getting closer to his best GPS metrics recorded before his injury.

This progress is particularly encouraging given the severity of the injury he sustained.

George Kittle Steps Up His Rehabilitation Ahead of the Season

The 49ers' tight end tore his right Achilles tendon on January 11 during a playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He had to leave the game and undergo surgery just three days later.

Since then, his daily routine has been devoted almost entirely to rehabilitation. Kittle has described this period as extremely monotonous, although the progress he's made in recent weeks now allows him to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The athlete has resumed high-intensity running and says he is able to reach speeds close to his previous standards. The next step, however, will be to resume training with equipment and gradually reacclimate to the physical contact inherent in professional football.

For San Francisco, caution will obviously be key. Even if Kittle wants to play in the season opener, the organization will need to avoid compromising his long-term health for the sake of a single game.

His potential appearance against the Rams would nonetheless be excellent news for the 49ers. Kittle remains one of the team's most important offensive weapons, and his return would give the team a serious boost right from the start of the season.

For now, Kittle continues to take it one step at a time. The final decision regarding his participation in Melbourne will likely depend on his ability to successfully complete the next stages of his rehabilitation without any setbacks.

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