49ers’ George Kittle targets Week 1 return after Achilles surgery in Australia

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle said Wednesday he is aiming to be ready for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia, roughly 19 weeks after surgery on his torn right Achilles. Kittle described his rehab as ahead of schedule and without setbacks. He has progressed to full body‑weight jogging and believes the opener on September 11 is realistic. The team is slated to make the long flight on September 2.

Kittle has recently increased his workload during organized team activities, working on the side while the session was open. Observers saw him complete single‑leg hops along with 20‑ to 30‑yard jogs, which he said was the most running he has done since the injury. He emphasized there are still boxes to check before he is cleared for full football activity, but he views his current pace as compatible with a Week 1 return.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan praised Kittle’s approach, noting the tight end’s work ethic and talent give him a chance to come back as quickly as possible. Kittle reiterated that his focus is on hitting each milestone without rushing, with the expectation that his availability will become clearer as training ramps up through the summer.

Surgical details point to quicker recovery

Kittle said his surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, advised that diligent rehab could put a Week 1 return within reach. According to Kittle, the tear was relatively high up near the soleus and was clean, allowing a repair that did not require drilling into the heel. He said that has supported better blood flow at the repair site and may aid a faster recovery timeline.

Kittle suffered the injury on January 11 in the first half of an NFC wild‑card round win over the Philadelphia Eagles and missed the following divisional round game against the Seattle Seahawks. He called this his first major injury and said the mental side has been manageable as he works through the plan.

Australia travel remains a variable

One open question is how the long flight to Australia could affect the healing process. The 49ers are scheduled to travel on September 2, which shortens the window between rehab work in California and game week in Melbourne. Kittle said he is not overly concerned about the travel and will continue following medical guidance to minimize any risk.

If Week 1 proves too soon, the schedule offers near‑term alternatives. The 49ers have three home games after returning from Australia, presenting additional opportunities for Kittle to make his season debut once fully cleared.

What to watch next

Kittle plans to keep progressing through monitored milestones, including increased running, change‑of‑direction work, and football movements such as blocking and route running once cleared. The club will evaluate his response in the coming weeks, with final availability for the opener likely determined closer to the team’s departure for Australia.