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Friday update: The 49ers formally activated Kittle off injured reserve on Friday.
Thursday update: Kyle Shanahan told the media on Thursday that George Kittle will play on Saturday against the Cardinals, but will be on a pitch count.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said about tight end George Kittle, “I think he’s got a chance this week. If he’s good, I plan on playing him,” per Niners Nation.
Playing Kittle with the team out of contention for the playoffs is something Shanahan doesn’t mind doing at all:
“If he’s healthy I don’t see any reason why not.” Kyle Shanahan on why George Kittle would play this late in the season, eliminated from playoffs. “How can he be healthy and me not play him and still look every other player in the eye?” #49ers
— Rob Lowder (@Rob_Lowder) December 22, 2020
On the season, Kittle has played in six games and caught 37 passes for 474 yards and two touchdown. Those 474 yards rank 16th in the league and his fantasy numbers rank 20th. That is just another crazy statistic to show you how little individual tight ends have put up fantasy-wise this season.
If Kittle returns for the fantasy championships, it will likely be tough sitting him if you have been streaming tight ends. But, he has been off a long time and I doubt he would get a full set of snaps and he’ll have C.J. Beatherd throwing him the ball. None of those things are all that appealing.