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San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle reportedly suffered a torn Achilles tendon 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 replay showed him giving in to Zach Baun’s tackle without fighting to get his leg loose.
Kittle tried to encourage his teammates as he was led away, 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 carried off 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)
This is 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 No. 1 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 advantages.
The last time the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia for a playoff contest was for the 2022 NFC Championship Game, which also proved to be brutal in terms of injuries 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 drubbing as the Eagles went to the Super Bowl.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off 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)
Even if it wasn’t Purdy, Kittle is a key part of this entire team, not to mention the offense. He shows valuable leadership whether he’s on the field or off, and injuries kept him sidelined during the regular season as well.
Kittle suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to miss five of the 49ers’ first six games of the regular season. They also had him miss Week 17 with an ankle ailment suffered in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Even if the 49ers advance to the divisional round, they won’t have Kittle if he does indeed have an Achilles tear.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off 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 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. He made his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl and seventh overall in 2025.
