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Is George Kittle's injury 'last straw' for 49ers? Why one star foresees opposite effect
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- Is George Kittle's injury 'last straw' for 49ers? Why one star foresees opposite effect
PHILADELPHIA − Being short-handed has been par for the course for the San Francisco 49ers in recent years, but especially so during the 2025 NFL season.
Nick Bosa . Gone. Fred Warner . Gone. Brandon Aiyuk . Gone … probably long gone. And that doesn't even account for guys like quarterback Brock Purdy , who have been in and out of the lineup.
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But when perennial Pro Bowl tight tend George Kittle suffered an Achilles injury before halftime in Sunday's wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles − with the Niners trailing 13-7 at the time − it was worth wondering if "next man up" sounded more trite and empty than it typically does.
"This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year. And since I got traded here, he's the heart and soul of this team. So, it's a tough loss," said All-Pro Christian McCaffrey , whose pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns sparked San Francisco's 23-19 upset of the defending champions.
"He's somebody that, even going through something he had to go through – and us finding a way to finish – he's the first guy in the locker room, smiling, pumping music, happy for his teammates."
After Kittle collapsed near the sideline following a 6-yard catch, Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams – he and Kittle have long been the tone-setters for this squad – stood next to his fallen teammate as the cart came for him.
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"Just in disbelief. You know, George is like a Superman around here," said Williams. "Just wanted to say a quick prayer for him. Just hoping for the best, just really wanted him to know I was there for him.
"I think if we didn't have experience with that, it would have been easy for everybody to fold, and nobody would've blamed us."
Experience with injuries is putting it lightly, San Fran's Week 1 starters missing 74 games in sum. Kittle's loss exacerbates the misfortune even as the Niners advance, hoping to win their first Lombardi Trophy in 31 years.
"We just lost George, that hurts – it could be a real easy excuse for us to say, 'Alright, that's finally the last straw that's gonna keep us from doing this thing,'" said All-Pro fullback Kyle Juszczyk , perhaps Kittle's closest friend on the team.
"But you just can't have that mentality. You just never know when you're gonna get this opportunity in the divisional round of the playoffs. There's only so many teams left in this league, and we're one of them."
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The 49ers will travel to Seattle next weekend to face the top-seeded Seahawks, whom they beat 17-13 at Lumen Field on Sept. 7. Ironically, Kittle suffered a hamstring injury in that game that ultimately cost him six weeks. And while that setback proved San Francisco could win without him, going 4-2 after the injury, his absence moving forward might just provide fuel.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 11: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field during the second quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
"(W)hen you lose a leader like that, you never really lose him, because his presence is still in this locker room. His energy is still here. He's the leader and heart and soul of this team. Praying for him. Love him. Gonna play for him the rest of the way," said McCaffrey, who was traded from the Carolina Panthers to San Francisco midway through the 2022 season.
He was also asked how the team processes such a gut punch.
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"I think you digest it after the game. It's a weird deal when your brother goes down. Plays are called, and you've got to go out there and execute," answered "CMC."
"The way I see it, George wouldn't want you to (dwell) over anything. He'd want you to get back in there and continue to play."
Which the 49ers, scars and all, will undoubtedly keep doing.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Kittle injury latest blow for 49ers to survive in NFC playoffs
