The San Francisco 49ers have officially announced that tight end George Kittle will not play in their upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams. His status was downgraded from doubtful to out on Saturday.
Kittle’s absence comes as a setback for the 49ers, who are also dealing with other injuries. The team has elevated second-year tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad as a potential replacement for Kittle.
Additionally, defensive end Nick Bosa is listed as questionable due to a rib injury sustained during practice on Thursday. Coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Bosa was limited in Friday’s practice, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his participation.
The 49ers (1-1) are also without wide receiver Deebo Samuel, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward is questionable, along with Bosa, creating a challenging situation for San Francisco.
Kittle recently celebrated his 100th career regular-season game but reported a hamstring issue after being a full participant in practice earlier in the week. He had been carted off during last week’s game against Minnesota, but the team stated it was for IV treatment related to cramps.
In a positive development, Kittle was not placed on Injured Reserve, meaning he could potentially return sooner rather than later. Over his career, he has missed 17 games but has only been placed on IR once, following a foot fracture in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Rams (0-2) are also struggling with injuries, with 11 players on Injured Reserve. Notably, wide receiver Cooper Kupp is out due to an ankle injury, as is tight end Davis Allen.
Several Rams players, including defensive tackle Bobby Brown and cornerback Cobie Durant, are listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup. Kicker Joshua Karty is also dealing with a groin issue.
As the 49ers prepare for their game, the absence of key players like Kittle and possibly Bosa raises questions about their offensive and defensive capabilities against a wounded Rams team. The situation creates intrigue around how San Francisco will adapt to these challenges on the field.