Kittle chases Week 1 return as Australia trip complicates

George Kittle is working to return from a torn Achilles in time for Week 1, even as San Francisco’s season opener in Australia against the Rams arrives just days after a 15-hour flight. The 32-year-old says it “might be a little bit difficult,” but he’s focuse

George Kittle is trying to beat the calendar back to Week 1, even if the 49ers’ offseason dream comes with a brutal logistical twist.

The tight end tore his Achilles in January during San Francisco’s postseason win over Philadelphia. and he’s now pushing to get on the field as early as possible. In a recent interview. Kittle said his goal is to be ready for the 49ers’ season-opening trip to Australia. when San Francisco plays the Rams on Thursday of Week 1—a game that will be Friday in Melbourne.

Kittle framed it as a realistic target, not a far-fetched one. “I was told it’s not a crazy goal,” Kittle said. “And so, as long as I keep on the right path and everything goes the right way, hey, I got a chance.”

Then came the part that could interfere with his timing: the flight. Kittle pointed out the sheer length of the travel and how little recovery time it creates compared with a normal opening week. “As a 15-hour flight and a game like four days before a normal opening day. that might make it a little bit difficult — sure. but who doesn’t like a challenge?. So. no. I’ve got a chance. like I said. so just going to keep my head down. keep grinding every single day.”.

His comments also landed against the backdrop of how far the rest of the team will be from home. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has been openly frustrated about starting the 2026 season so far from home. and Kittle didn’t go quite as hard—but he did admit he’d prefer to begin the year in familiar surroundings.

“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. ” Kittle said. “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.”.

Kittle made it clear he isn’t buying the timelines others have projected for his return. “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.”

The numbers from his last full stretch underscore why he’s pressing so hard. Now 32 and entering his 10th pro season, Kittle caught 57 passes for 628 yards with seven touchdowns in 11 games for San Francisco last year.

For now, the focus stays the same: Kittle says he’ll keep grinding each day, wait for clearance, and if the situation is tight, be ready to make it a game-time decision as the 49ers launch their season from Melbourne.

George Kittle 49ers Rams Week 1 torn Achilles Melbourne Australia game Kyle Shanahan NFL injury return timeline