George Kittle "very confident" he won't start season on reserve/PUP

49ers tight end George Kittle is on the active/physically unable to perform list. He has confidence he won't be moved to the reserve/PUP list at the start of the season. "Very confident," Kittle said Sunday, via David Bonilla of 49erswebzone.com. "Sooner than later." Kittle would miss at least the first four games if he isn't activated back to the active roster on Aug. 30. He continues to target the season opener for his return. "I'm just going to keep that as my goal, and then we'll adjust from there if we need to," Kittle said. "But I still believe that. My team still believes that. My surgeon still believes I have a chance. So, just keep attacking it." Kittle tore his right Achilles in a Jan. 11 playoff game against the Eagles. He underwent surgery three days later, with Rams team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache repairing Kittle's Achilles. Kittle confirmed he has a timeline for returning to practice, but declined to provide details. "Like I've said, I have a chance [to play Week 1]," Kittle said. "We're running around a lot, hitting top speeds. Hopefully, we're back in pads, practicing sooner than later. Just trying to check the boxes and not be a dumbass, is what I would say." He said the next two weeks will "let me know if I'm ready to play Week 1or not." Kittle added that he will have to practice in pads before the season opener to play against the Rams. Kittle made his seventh career Pro Bowl last season despite playing only 11 regular-season games due to hamstring and ankle injuries.