George Kittle DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) put in a second straight limited practice this week on Thursday. Kittle injured his hamstring in practice last week and could not get cleared to play in the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. While it remains unclear if the 30-year-old will play in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, the fact that he's been on the practice field twice this week give him at least a shot at ending his absence at just one game. If Kittle ends up being active on Sunday, he should be thrown back into starting fantasy lineups everywhere, especially since there's a good chance that receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) will miss another game. With both Kittle and Samuel out last week, Jauan Jennings went for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Brock Purdy would certainly love to get Kittle back this weekend against an underrated defense.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that tight end George Kittle (hamstring) was limited in practice on Wednesday. Kittle injured his hamstring in practice last week and ultimately did not play in the Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. His status for this Sunday's contest against the visiting New England Patriots is up in the air, but it's a great sign that he is participating in the first practice of the week. If the 30-year-old can increase his practice level on either Thursday or Friday, he'll give himself a shot to be active in Week 4. Backup TE Eric Saubert caught both of his targets for 41 yards and is a weak TE2 streamer in fantasy if Kittle misses another game. Receiver Jauan Jennings reaped all the benefits with Kittle and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) out in Week 3, going for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Kittle is a must-start TE1 whenever he's active.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team hopes to get tight end George Kittle (hamstring) back at practice this week. Kittle tweaked his hamstring at practice last week and was forced to sit out of the team's Week 3 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. We'll have a better idea of the 30-year-old's status for a Week 4 tilt against the New England Patriots once the Niners resume practicing on Wednesday, but as of right now, it sounds as though he has a realistic shot to play this weekend if he can get on the practice field. It would be great news for a team hit hard by injuries to key players early in 2024. Running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) is on IR and receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) could miss more time. Kittle will be a must-start TE1 in fantasy if he's able to return against the Pats.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The star tight end showed up on the injury on Thursday, putting his status for the Week 3 contest in doubt. The injury couldn't have come at the worst time for the 49ers, with Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) missing this week's game. Brock Purdy now must lean heavily on Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Jordan Mason against Los Angeles. Fantasy players are left scrambling for a last-minute tight end replacement off the waiver wire. Unfortunately, Kittle's backup, Eric Saubert, isn't a variable replacement option in standard-size leagues.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is officially listed as doubtful to play in Week 3 on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams after missing practice the last two days. Running back Christian McCaffrey (Achilles, calf) is on Injured Reserve, and receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (calf) has been ruled out as well, so the Niners' offense is extremely banged up early in the year. It's bad news for fantasy managers that have been rolling with quarterback Brock Purdy as their QB1. With Kittle unlikely to play on Sunday, look for both Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings to handle as many targets as they can. Eric Saubert is expected to be the team's starting TE with Kittle out, although he's not a recommended fantasy streamer, as Jake Tonges could also be involved as a pass-catcher. Hopefully Kittle will be ready to return in Week 4 at home against the New England Patriots.