49ers TE George Kittle placed on injured reserve

The San Francisco 49ers continue to have issues with injuries in 2021, and this time, one of their best players has been placed on injured reserve.

Tight end George Kittle was placed on the injured reserve list by the 49ers on Saturday, as reported by NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco before the 49ers made it official on their website. He’ll miss a minimum of three games.

Source: #49ers are placing TE George Kittle on injured reserve due to his calf injury.

Kittle must miss three games. The team believes he would be dealing with the condition all season if he continued to try to play. There’s a good chance he’ll be back Nov. 7 to face Cardinals.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 9, 2021

San Francisco’s starting quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, will also sit out Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals, who are undefeated and in fist place in the NFC West. Talented rookie QB Trey Lance will get his opportunity to do what he was brought to the 49ers to do, at some point, anyway: take control of the QB position.

But he’ll be without Kittle, one of the NFL’s top tight ends and a figurative security blanket for any QB San Francisco puts out there. As Maiocco reported, look for Kittle to return when the 49ers face the Cardinals again on Nov. 7. Ideally for San Francisco, the 49ers can welcome Kittle back with a winning record so they can continue to chase the Super Bowl.

(Photo courtesy All-Pro Reels)