San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle says his rehab from a torn Achilles is tracking right where it needs to be, with training camp underway and a Week 1 return in Australia now within reach. Asked whether his GPS-tracked numbers were where they needed to be, Kittle didn't hesitate. "I'm hitting the numbers that I need to hit," Kittle said. "It's pretty awesome."
“I’m hitting numbers I need to hit. I’m pretty close.” - #49ers TE George Kittle on his Achilles rehab His return is really really close #FTTBpic.twitter.com/ozXFL7Wf39 — 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) August 16, 2026 Kittle tore his right Achilles on Jan. 11 during San Francisco's Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He said he knew immediately what had happened. Five days later, Dr. Neal ElAttrache repaired what turned out to be a clean, high tear near the soleus muscle — a break Kittle and his medical team have since described as a "best-case scenario" for recovery speed, since the location meant better blood flow to the area. That early outlook set the tone for a rehab process Kittle has openly called monotonous. He's been consistently saying that he could return for Week 1, and now it sounds as if he's more confident in that assessment. "We're getting there," Kittle said about returning fully to practice. "Pretty close." San Francisco opens the 2026 season Sept. 10 against the Rams in Australia, a date that would put Kittle roughly eight months removed from surgery — well ahead of the typical 9-to-12-month Achilles recovery window. Kittle caught 58 passes in just 11 games in 2025 before the injury ended his season. This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: George Kittle is 'pretty close' to returning from Achilles injury