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San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle is believed to have suffered a torn Achilles in the second quarter of the Wild Card Round game 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 replays showed he gave way to Zach Baun’s tackle without a fight to get off his leg.
Kittle tried to encourage his teammates as he was sent off, clapping in their direction. But it’s hard not to feel for the 32-year-old, who many consider the best tight end in the sport.
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George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is run off the field in 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 massive loss for the 49ers as they try to take down the Eagles on the road to advancing in the NFL Playoffs. The 49ers might have had the No. 1 seed, home-field advantage through the playoffs and a bye week, but they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 to lose the NFC West title and those perks.
The last time the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia for a playoff contest was the 2022 NFC Championship Game, which also proved brutal in the injury department for them.
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Quarterback Brock Purdy tore his 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 beatdown as the Eagles went to the Super Bowl.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is run off the field in 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)
Even if it wasn’t Purdy, Kittle is an important part 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 first six games of the 49ers’ regular season slate. They also had him miss Week 17 because of an ankle strain he suffered in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Even if the 49ers advance to the divisional round, they won’t have Kittle if he actually has an Achilles tear.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is run off the field in 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 netted him 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns across 11 games. He reached his fifth straight Pro Bowl and seventh overall in 2025.
