49ers Teammate Expects George Kittle Cleared for Week 1 in Australia

San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk believes star tight end George Kittle is on track to suit up for the regular season opener against the Rams in Australia. Kittle has been recovering from a right Achilles tear sustained during the playoff victory over the Eagles on January 11.

Speaking at the American Century Championship, Juszczyk told NBC Sports Bay Area that Kittle’s recent movement during practice and offseason workouts has been impressive. Juszczyk noted that Kittle reportedly reached speeds of roughly 16 miles per hour during agility drills, which bolstered his confidence that the tight end could be ready by Week 1.

The 49ers organization is likely to maintain a cautious approach to Kittle’s practice participation leading up to the game. Despite the positive trajectory, Juszczyk emphasized that the training staff will prioritize the player’s long-term availability over rushing his return for a single game. Kittle has previously indicated he is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation process.

The Week 1 matchup will be broadcast as part of the Sunday night lineup, falling under the media rights held by Comcast Corporation. As the parent company of NBCUniversal, Comcast holds a significant stake in NFL viewership through its “Sunday Night Football” package. The return of a high-profile player like Kittle is relevant to the network’s broadcast ratings and engagement metrics. Currently, Comcast Corporation is trading at $23.97, reflecting a 1.4% increase from the previous close.

What to watch

• Official 49ers injury reports leading up to the Week 1 matchup.
• Updates on Kittle’s participation during full-team practice sessions.
• NBC and Comcast Corporation viewership numbers for the season opener.

Source: original release