George Kittle Participates in Limited Running Drills at 49ers OTAs, 19 Weeks After Achilles Surgery

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle performed single-leg hops and 20- to 30-yard jogs during organized team activities on June 3, 2026. ESPN reported that the session marked the most running Kittle has done since tearing his right Achilles in the first half of an NFC wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11, 2026.

Kittle said he resumed 100 percent body-weight jogging a couple of weeks earlier and has had no setbacks.

He described the Achilles as "doing great" and said he is "ahead of schedule" after surgery performed 19 weeks before the June 3 session. Kittle said surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache told him the tear was relatively high near the soleus, clean, and required no drilling into the heel, which allowed greater blood flow.

He added that ElAttrache said doing everything correctly gave him a chance to return quickly. Kittle said it is realistic to think he could return roughly eight months after the injury. " The 49ers' Week 1 game against the Los Angeles Rams is scheduled for September 11, 2026, in Melbourne, Australia.

Kittle said he is not overly concerned about how the long flight might affect the healing Achilles. " Kittle immediately recognized the injury on January 11, called for a cart, and missed the divisional-round game against the Seattle Seahawks. He said this is his first major injury and that he has experienced no mental setbacks during recovery.

Kittle said there are "boxes you have to check" before advancing to the next stage and that once cleared he looks forward to run blocking, pass protection, running routes, and catching passes.