The Chicago Bears might be getting some help in their Week 17 showdown against the San Francisco 49ers after the latest injury update out of the team in California.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan gave an update on injured tight end George Kittle after leaving their Week 16 Indianapolis Colts game early with an ankle injury. Kittle did not practice, and Shanahan told reporters that there is a chance the star pass catcher might play against the Bears.
Before leaving the 49ers game in Week 16, Kittle had seven receptions for over 100 yards and a score to help them win. Kittle is second on the team in receiving yards with 599 yards and second on touchdowns with seven.
Bears might catch a break with Kittle potentially being out
Kittle is a beast at tight end and a matchup nightmare for any defense with linebackers or safeties. While no one would ever cheer for an injury, the Bears wouldn’t mind Kittle sitting out for the game.
San Francisco’s top pass-catcher is their running back, Christian McCaffrey, given the injuries they have had at wide receiver. Poor McCaffrey has had to do it all so that the Bears will be solely focused on him, but Kittle would not help Chicago out with their defensive game-planning.
For Chicago, they need to prepare for Kittle to play, which means they need their top safeties, like Pro Bowler Kevin Byard III and Jaquan Brisker, to be ready to cover him. It might even fall on T.J. Edwards or Tremaine Edmunds to cover Kittle in some coverages.
Look for C.J. Gardner-Johnson to even help out on coverage if they need him to step up. Gardner-Johnson, over the years, has been strong at covering tight ends, so that could be a good matchup for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to take advantage of.
Read more: Bears receiver’s comments on Caleb Williams is better than any holiday story
The Bears thought the Green Bay Packers game was challenging in Week 16; the 49ers are rolling better in the season. Chicago better be ready for the road trip and to beat one of the NFL’s hottest teams.