49ers tight end George Kittle has targeted Week 1 for his return since tearing his right Achilles in a Jan. 11 playoff game against the Eagles. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk expressed optimism over the weekend that Kittle will play in the season opener against the Rams in Australia.
“I really [do] feel that way,” Juszczyk told Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area at the American Century Championship. “I was so impressed by the way he was moving [at Tight End U], and I was impressed the last week of OTAs, how he was moving. He was doing this zigzag drill, and he told me he had reached like 16 miles an hour that day. I was already impressed with that.
“But then, seeing him go through that warm-up, I was like, ‘Wow, I really do think there is a chance that he’s ready for Week 1.’”
Kittle made his seventh career Pro Bowl last season despite playing only 11 regular-season games due to hamstring and ankle injuries. He then required surgery to repair his Achilles after the playoff victory over Philadelphia, missing the divisional playoff loss to the Seahawks.
Kittle has repeatedly said he is ahead of schedule in his rehab, but the 49ers are sure to be deliberate with his practice schedule.
“I know him and the trainers are going to be smart about it and not try and risk anything,” Juszczyk said, “because we know how much George means to our team, and having him out there more than just one game is important. But I’m feeling good about the possibilities.”
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