George Kittle Suffers Torn Achilles, Season Ends; 2026 Availability in Doubt

49ers TE George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles late in the first half of Sunday's Wild Card game against the Eagles, confirmed by HC Kyle Shanahan. The season-ending injury, sustained while planting his foot, requires a 6-12 month recovery, threatening his availability for the start of the 2026 campaign. Kittle, 32, was already managing an ankle issue and had missed six regular-season games with a torn hamstring this season. Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell are expected to fill in at tight end for San Francisco.