George Kittle’s season ended abruptly on Sunday, but his presence hasn’t left the 49ers’ locker room.
Veteran tackle Trent Williams reflected on how the team responded after losing Kittle to a torn Achilles during San Francisco’s NFC Wild Card Round, a win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
“I don’t think anybody would’ve blamed us for not being able to pull that out after losing a guy like George that early,” Williams said Wednesday. “But George, his spirit, the energy — it lives through this team.”
Kittle suffered the injury in the second quarter and was ruled out before halftime, forcing the 49ers to regroup on the fly without one of the emotional and physical leaders of their offense. Despite the severity of the setback, Williams emphasized that Kittle’s mindset in the locker room helped steady the team.
“Even talking to him in the locker room, obviously he wasn’t happy, but his spirits were just really in a good place,” Williams explained. “And it gave us that resolve — like, ‘OK, our brother’s good. Let’s go do this for him.'”
Kittle had already battled multiple injuries earlier in the season, but this one brought a sudden end to his postseason run. Still, teammates believe his influence remains unmistakable as they prepare for what’s next.
The 49ers will turn their attention to the NFC Divisional Playoff, traveling to face the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday with Kittle sidelined — but far from forgotten.
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