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San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the second quarter of their Wild Card Round matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Kittle was carted off the field after being tackled following a catch in the second quarter. He immediately grabbed his right ankle and replay showed him yielding to Zach Baun’s tackle without fighting to free himself from his leg.
Kittle was trying to cheer up his teammates as they carried him away, clapping in their direction. But it’s hard not to feel sorry for the 32-year-old, whom many consider the best tight end in the game.
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George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
It’s a huge loss for the 49ers as they try to defeat the Eagles on the road to advance in the NFL Playoffs. The 49ers could have had the top seed, home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and a bye week, but they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 to lose the NFC West title and those benefits.
The last time the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia for a playoff game was the 2022 NFC Championship Game, which also proved brutal for them in the injury department.
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Quarterback Brock Purdy tore the UCL in his throwing elbow, and after backup Josh Johnson was also injured, the 49ers were left lifeless at the position in what was a blowout as the Eagles advanced to the Super Bowl.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Elsa/Getty Images)
While it wasn’t Purdy, Kittle is a key piece of this entire team, let alone the offense. He provides valuable leadership whether he’s on the field or not, and injuries have also kept him out during the regular season.
Kittle dealt with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss five of the 49ers’ first six regular-season games. They also caused him to miss Week 17 due to an ankle injury suffered in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Even if the 49ers advance to the Divisional Round, they won’t have Kittle if he truly has a torn Achilles tendon.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers leaves the field during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Kittle’s ninth year in the NFL saw him total 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. He made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl and seventh overall in 2025.
