If there is one saying the 49ers should be well familiarized with, it’s that when it rains, it pours. Sometimes, however, the downpour only lasts a short while. Fortunately, it turned out to be a false alarm. For a change, San Francisco could breathe a sigh of relief after an injury scare at practice.

“The 49ers announce that Romello Height had cramps,” Matt Maiocco from NBC Sports Bay Area reported on his X account. “Height sustained an injury in practice and was carted off the field. The medical staff appeared to be working on both his right leg and both arms.”

Height scares 49ers

It must have been some supernatural cramps for the 6-foot-2 rookie out of Texas Tech to require that kind of medical attention. Still, the 49ers will gladly take the outcome.

Had they lost their third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to a serious injury on Day 2 of training camp, it could have been a terrible omen for what the season might have in store in San Francisco.

The buzz around the Niners and their facilities

Much has been speculated about the 49ers’ facility and its proximity to an electrical substation, fueling all sorts of conspiracy theories across social media. If the team had lost one of its newest additions to a serious injury just days into training camp, that narrative would have been blown out of proportion.

The 49ers already have enough on their plate. They have no desire to add yet another concern with a serious injury this early in the calendar. Fortunately, Height’s case turned out to be nothing more than a scare.

For the time being, the team has no reason to worry about its rookie defensive lineman. Just to be safe, though, the 49ers’ nutritionists might want to add a few more pickles—and some pickle juice—to his diet.

Kittle continues to recover from the Achilles injury he suffered during the Wild Card round game of the playoffs against the Eagles, and his availability for Week 1 remains one of the biggest storylines surrounding the 49ers.

The challenge is even greater because San Francisco will face the Rams in the opener at Melbourne, forcing them to carefully evaluate whether the veteran will be ready for such a demanding international trip.

John Lynch updates George Kittle’s recovery

Although George Kittle’s status for the opener has yet to be determined, the latest comments from general manager John Lynch should provide plenty of optimism for 49ers fans.

“George’s rehab is coming tremendous. I know you guys have heard from him. He’s doing really well and that’s very exciting. He’s doing everything possible to be ready for Week 1. We’re thrilled with his progress.”

Will George Kittle be ready for Week 1 vs Rams?

Even with John Lynch’s optimistic update, the 49ers are expected to remain cautious. The organization understands that rushing Kittle back from an Achilles injury could create unnecessary risks, especially with a long trip to Australia awaiting the team before the regular season officially begins.

For now, the goal remains unchanged. Kittle is pushing to be available for the season opener, while the 49ers continue monitoring his recovery closely. If his rehabilitation continues at its current pace, they could have one of their most important offensive weapons back just in time for one of the most anticipated games of the 2026 NFL season.

Kittle is still recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered during last season’s playoffs, and while the move is considered precautionary, it has immediately sparked questions about his timetable for returning to the field.

The biggest concern is whether Kittle will be healthy enough for Week 1, when the 49ers are scheduled to face the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on September 10, a unique international trip that adds another layer of complexity to his recovery.

John Lynch provides George Kittle injury update

Following the announcement, 49ers general manager John Lynch addressed George Kittle’s recovery and acknowledged that the international opener will be part of the team’s decision-making process.

“All that will be taken into consideration. With tremendous players, usually comes a collective will that they’re a little different. They’re going to want to push the envelope. Also, great athletes tend to heal at a different rate. We kind of take ourselves out of that. We let the doctors work. Everything is involved in that decision. Very much like a trip. That’s different. We have to take everything into account.”

The comments suggest the 49ers will prioritize Kittle’s long-term health over rushing him back for the season opener. However, it’s a crucial game within the NFC West.

Will George Kittle be ready for Week 1 with 49ers?

At this point, the San Francisco 49ers have not confirmed whether George Kittle will be available against the Rams, but John Lynch admitted he’s confident a return is possible.

The PUP designation allows him to continue his recovery while remaining under close medical supervision, giving the team time to evaluate his progress before making any final decision.

With San Francisco entering the season as one of the NFC’s top contenders, the 49ers will want their All-Pro tight end healthy for the long haul, even if that means exercising additional caution before clearing him to travel overseas for the opener.

Now, as for good news, 49ers’ general manager John Lynch still said that he is “optimistic on all of them [Kittle, Isaac Guerendo, Alfred Collins] hitting the practice field sooner than later.”

This is not a full indictment, as players can be moved off the PUP list at any point during camp. The problem is if they transition from the active training camp list to the Reserve/PUP list at the final 53-man roster cutdown deadline. This forces them to sit out a minimum of the first four regular-season games.

Kittle’s recovery is a tough one

Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles on January. Given that this injury usually takes from nine to 12 months to recover, Kittle is on track, though hopes of him getting the nod for a Week 1 appearance are decreasing.

As of now, Kittle should be scheduled to come back between Week 4 and 6 of the NFL season if it slows down a bit. Kittle is a key component of this offense, so the Niners need him to come back at his fullest.

Kittle could miss key games for the 49ers

While the 49ers want him ready by Week 1, or Week 2 at worse, the fact is this is a very tough injury to overcome. If he comes back, cautiously, for a Week 5 encounter, Kittle would miss the following games:

• Week 1: Thursday, Sept. 10 at Los Angeles Rams (in Australia)
• Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 20 vs. Miami Dolphins
• Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 27 vs. Arizona Cardinals
• Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 4 vs. Denver Broncos

Speaking candidly with host Chris Simms on NBC, Kittle made sure to defend the franchise’s efforts throughout the tough negotiations. He noted that the 49ers “have done a very good job throughout the entire process” as they navigated the complex standoff.

Reflecting on his decade with the organization, Kittle emphasized that he has received “nothing but respect and love” during his entire career in San Francisco. He deliberately refrained from calling out anyone involved, stating he never wants to “single out a player” or point fingers at anybody.

Balancing big contracts and 49ers’ championship hopes

The contract standoff stems from Aiyuk seeking a lucrative long-term extension that reflects his value among top NFL receivers. San Francisco faces a delicate financial puzzle as they try to keep their core roster intact under tight salary cap constraints. Both sides have weathered months of trade rumors.

Aiyuk’s leverage comes directly from his steady evolution into one of the most productive targets in the league. Since being drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, he has recorded 294 receptions, 4,305 receiving yards, and 25 touchdowns.

His breakout 2023 campaign saw him post a career-high 1,342 receiving yards, cementing his status as a primary weapon in Shanahan’s offense. Resolving this saga remains crucial for the 49ers as they push for another championship run.

Kittle’s public backing of the front office highlights the trust existing veterans place in Lynch and Shanahan. Whether Aiyuk stays long-term or the situation evolves further, his teammates clearly respect both the player and the business side of the game.

“Very fast, very mature,” Kittle said during his press conference. “What is he 25? I like old rookies because they’re ready to play. You don’t have to go through the immaturity part.”

Black was selected by the 49ers in the third round of the last draft, with the 90th overall pick. While many expected them to go for a young talent in the backfield, Kyle Shanahan and his staff surprised everyone with this decision.

“We had him as the second-rated back on the board,” the head coach said on the Rich Eisen Show on April 30. “That’s just our evaluation of him. Right or wrong, that was our evaluation of him.”

The intriguing San Francisco backfield

The San Francisco 49ers boast an incredibly deep and versatile backfield engineered to perfectly fit Kyle Shanahan‘s dynamic zone-running scheme. At the forefront is the elite Christian McCaffrey, whose dual-threat capability remains the absolute engine of the ground game.

Behind him, the explosive Jordan James slots in as the primary backup, followed closely by rookie Kaelon Black, who adds a physical, downhill running style to the rotation. Further down the depth chart, the athletic Isaac Guerendo provides exceptional raw speed and upside, while veterans like Patrick Taylor Jr. solidify the unit with reliable depth and special teams value.

49ers aim to avoid injuries ahead of next season

Following an injury-plagued 2025 season that heavily disrupted their offensive rhythm, the San Francisco 49ers are actively adjusting their strategy to keep their core stars healthy. Last year, structural stability took a major hit as quarterback Brock Purdy missed several starts due to injury, while elite tight end George Kittle suffered a devastating Achilles tear during postseason.

Furthermore, because of the surrounding injuries and roster instability, head coach Kyle Shanahan was forced to overwork Christian McCaffrey, leading to a grueling 413-touch workload that lowered his overall efficiency.

To prevent another wave of soft-tissue issues and long-term fatigue, the front office has heavily prioritized depth—particularly by restocking the backfield and adding reliable pass-catching options—aiming to strictly manage player snap counts and prevent their franchise cornerstones from taking unnecessary punishment before the playoffs.

So far, what Kittle has seen from Evans is impressive. During a recent press conference, the tight end revealed how sharp the new wide receiver looked during organized team activities (OTAs), saying, “If you look back at the 49ers, this is like the first legit veteran wide receiver I’ve had on my roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019, in my opinion… Just to see him run routes and the way that he sees things, it’s just so fun.“

What really caught the attention of reporters, however, was Kittle emphasizing that Evans could give the 49ers a special element the team has lacked for years. “Mike just brings a whole new thing,” Kittle added. “You guys weren’t here for red zone. I think he had three to five touchdowns the first day. He’s incredible.“

Is Mike Evans good enough for the 49ers?

Evans is a seasoned veteran just like Kittle, but with even more mileage in the NFL. Having played in the league since 2014, he is entering his 13th season as a wide receiver. Before making the move to the Bay Area, he played exclusively for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl and earning six Pro Bowl selections.

Now with a new team, things change a bit for him. He has new teammates, a new head coach, and a younger quarterback. This transition could offer him a fresh spark, while Evans’ elite expertise provides a major boost for Brock Purdy, who benefits immensely from having another top-tier weapon on the outside.

During his final NFL season with Tampa Bay, Evans was limited to just eight games due to injury. Now fully healthy, the 49ers will look to see if he is in peak shape during the opening weeks of the upcoming 2026 season and if he can continue to produce close to his stellar 15.1 career yards-per-reception average.

“I was told it’s not a crazy goal,” Kittle said, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. “And so, as long as I keep on the right path and everything goes the right way, hey, I got a chance. As a 15-hour flight and a game like four days before a normal opening day, that might make it a little bit difficult…”

The fact that they will begin the season so far away from home was not well received in San Francisco. “At least, if we started the season off at home, and I didn’t have to hop on a plane for 15 hours, it might be different. But I think it just depends on how I’m feeling, if I’m cleared to go. If I’m cleared, hey, I’ll be there, and I’ll be on the field. And if they’re like, ‘Hey, it’s close,’ it’ll be a game-time decision. So, we’ll see.

“Everybody keeps telling me I won’t be back until Week 6, 7, or 8, and I’ll be like, ‘You guys believe whatever you want to believe.’ My goal is to be back there as early as possible.”

Kittle wants to move past a tough injury

The San Francisco 49ers suffered a devastating blow during their 23-19 Wild Card playoff victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in January 2026, when star tight end George Kittle suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. The injury occurred late in the first half after Kittle hauled in a 6-yard reception—his only catch of the day—and his calf visibly popped as he planted his foot into the ground.

While the resilient Niners managed to rally in the fourth quarter to secure the win, losing the heart and soul of their team completely derailed their deep postseason aspirations and sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs.

Historic NFL debut in Australia

The NFL is making history in Week 1 of the 2026 season by hosting the first-ever regular season game on Australian soil, featuring a massive NFC West divisional rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams. This historic matchup will take place at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, which boasts a massive capacity of over 100,000 fans.

Because of the massive 17-hour time difference, the game is uniquely scheduled to kick off locally in Australia on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 10:35 AM. For the American audience, it will air live in prime time on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 5:35 PM PT / 8:35 PM ET.

This blockbuster event highlights the NFL‘s aggressive global expansion, anchoring a record slate of nine international games across four continents this season, and bringing elite star power down under to one of the world’s greatest sporting capitals.

Appearing on the Rich Eisen Show, Shanahan said “I know there’s a chance to” Kittle playing in the season opener on September 10, where the 49ers will play the Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Shanahan also stated that Kittle is working hard in his rehab. He suffered the injury on January 11th, in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles. Kittle is 32 years old, but he is as productive as ever.

Shanahan cherishes Kittle for many reasons

Not only is Kittle a role model, with no off-field issues, but he is also an incredible football players. Kittle, as a tight end, is a superstar. He catches the ball as good as anyone, and he is arguably one of the best blocking tight ends in the league.

Hence, Shanahan loves having him. He sees Kittle as a leader of men, but also as a guy that can help both in the passing game, and in the running game. Shanahan is a run-game savant, so having an elite blocker like Kittle is music to his ears.

The 49ers suffered way too many injuries in 2025

The 49ers saw Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, and Kittle get season-ending injuries, with Bosa and Williams suffering ACL tears. Fred Warner also suffered a significant ankle injury. Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, Yetur Gross-Matos, all were sidelined for weeks too.

Even players who were relevant all season long, like Christian McCaffrey and Jauan Jennings, played under a plethora of injuries. McCaffrey’s injuries were more of a wear-and-tear matter, while Jennings played games while having broken ribs. The team hopes 2026 brings a bit more health to their roster.

During Super Bowl LX week, the NFL announced that the 49ers will open the 2026 season in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams. While that trip alone represents a major travel challenge, it may not be the only international journey San Francisco makes next season.

Kittle added fuel to the speculation when he posted an Instagram story showing a route from Levi’s Stadium to Mexico City, captioned: “Another one.” The message strongly hinted that the 49ers could also be headed to Mexico in 2026.

A rare international schedule for the 49ers

If San Francisco ends up playing in both Australia and Mexico, the team could travel more than 38,000 miles during the 2026 season. No team in NFL history has surpassed that mark. The Chargers (2025) and the Rams (2016) previously logged around 37,000 miles — the highest totals recorded.

Several franchises have played two international games in the same season, but under different circumstances. The Jacksonville Jaguars have played back-to-back games in London, and the Minnesota Vikings did so last year in consecutive weeks in nearby countries such as England and Ireland. However, combining trips to Australia and Mexico would represent a much more demanding logistical challenge.

The 49ers already struggled with injuries in 2025, and added travel could further impact player health and performance. Kittle has previously voiced concerns over 49ers issues with electrical substation, and this potential schedule only intensifies those discussions.

Earlier reports suggested the Dallas Cowboys could play in Mexico, but the NFL ultimately sent them to Brazil. Now, it appears the 49ers may renew their connection with Mexico by returning to Estadio Azteca — now known as Estadio Banorte — for the first time since their 2022 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.

While the theory was dismissed by NFL chief medical officer, Dr. Allen Sills, who stated there is no evidence to support it, George Kittle wants to make sure. “If something’s affecting like negatively 0.25 percent, you’d want to know about it… You’d probably change that,” Kittle said to Jordan Rose of Complex.

“So I think all we’re saying is, as players, it’s like, we would just like to look into it to make sure it’s not something. That’s what I would just appreciate. Like, ‘Hey, this isn’t gonna affect you guys.’ And then if they come out and they do some research, like, ‘No, you guys are good,’ then I don’t think we’ll think about it.”

Kittle also voiced his displeasure with 49ers having international games

It’s been reported that 49ers could play in Mexico. It’s also rumored that the team will play in Week 1 against the Rams all the way in Australia. The tight end posted on social media his disgruntlement after the reports came out. Kittle is recovering from an Achilles tear, and he is not fond of recovering to get to leave the United States constantly.

With trips to Mexico and Australia, the 49ers will become the first team in NFL history to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks. Teams might have played back-to-back London games, and the Vikings played back-to-back games in London and then Ireland. However, San Francisco will also play in South America and Oceania, making an unprecedented case of traveling in NFL.

Travels can harm the team massively

If the 49ers do end up playing in both Australia and Mexico, the team will end up traveling more than 38,100 miles in 2026. That would be the most ever for a team during a regular season. The 2025 Chargers and 2016 Rams both flied over 37,000 miles, but no team has ever hit the 38,000-mile mark.

This could also imply more fatigue, jet-lag, and less time to recover or treat injuries for the team. For a team that’s always heavily injured, the less travel time you have, the better. For the 49ers, they would get a bad hand to deal with if they end up with two international games.