After missing five games due to a hamstring injury, the San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle has finally been activated from IR this Saturday. Kittle, who is set to earn approx $20 million in his first year of a 4-year, $76.4 million contract, will play the Sunday night home game against the Atlanta Falcons.

Kittle practiced on all 3 days of Week 7 practice as a limited participant. The TE had been out since Week 1, when he suffered a severe hamstring injury in the team’s win over the Seattle Seahawks. Now fully healthy, he’s set to return to the lineup against the Atlanta Falcons with no playing-time restrictions.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Kittle looked sharp in practice and is ready to go. “George has rehabbed really well. He came back 100 percent, had a good week of practice,” Shanahan said on Friday (October 17). “We’ll space it out throughout the game, but there’s no pitch count.” Yet, nothing’s confirmed as the Niners will take final decisions 90 minutes before the kickoff at Levi’s Stadium.

In his absence, tight end Jake Tonges has quietly delivered solid performances for the 49ers this season. In six games, he’s caught 25 passes on 25 receptions for 224 yards and 3 touchdowns. He is averaging 9 yards per catch, showing reliability on short and mid-range routes. His longest reception of the year is 23 yards. Tonges has also picked up 13 first downs, proving to be a dependable option in moving the chains.

Now, with Kittle’s return, HC Shanahan must be happy, but the Niners are still dealing with multiple injuries.

Mac Jones’ teammates are still dealing with injury

The 49ers’ QB backup, Mac Jones, has not let them feel the absence of starter Brock Purdy. But multiple injuries are not doing any good to the QB. The Week 7 injury report also mentions WR1 Jauan Jennings (ankle, rib, shoulder) and WR2 Ricky Pearsall (knee). While Jennings played the Week 6 game and also practiced as a limited participant in all sessions this week, Pearsall did not.

As for Purdy, who signed a 5-year, $265 million extension, he is out at least till Week 8. The team is hoping for QB1 and WR2 to be back against the Houston Texans. For this week, Jones will keep the starting duties. But there are worries about Jones as well. He is dealing with a knee and oblique injury and had limited practice on Wednesday (October 15). Though he had a full practice the next day, the Niners need to be prepared for anything that might go wrong.

Do you think the ailing San Francisco 49ers will surprise the Falcons at Levi’s Stadium this Sunday?