As expected, the 49ers on Tuesday placed star tight end George Kittle on the injured reserve list following his season-ending Achilles tear in San Francisco’s wild-card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Kittle is set to undergo surgery to repair his right Achilles on Wednesday, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday, which will make it difficult for the team captain to be at Lumen Field for San Francisco’s NFC divisional playoff matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
The 32-year-old missed six regular-season games during the 2025 campaign — Weeks 2-6 as he dealt with a torn hamstring and Week 17 due to an ankle sprain. Kittle’s ninth NFL season ended on a somber note with the devastating playoff injury, and he finished the regular season with 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns.
Kittle tore his Achilles on his first reception of the 49ers’ win over the Eagles, when he was tackled on a 6-yard pass from quarterback Brock Purdy.
To take Kittle’s spot on the active roster, the 49ers promoted third-year tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad. Willis, selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft, has appeared in 23 regular-season games (six in 2025) and three postseason contests during his 49ers career.
The 49ers also officially opened the practice window for linebacker Fred Warner in their series of roster moves, with the hope he can play if they advance to the NFC Championship Game.
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