49ers lose George Kittle to hamstring; Brock Purdy’s status uncertain after opener

San Francisco 49ers star tight end George Kittle will miss at least several weeks with a hamstring injury, and quarterback Brock Purdy's availability for this week is in question after he suffered a left shoulder and toe injury in the season opener, coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday.

Shanahan said the team has not yet decided whether to place Kittle on injured reserve — which would require a minimum four-week absence — or keep him on the active roster in case he can return sooner. The coach also said Purdy’s status for the Niners’ upcoming game at New Orleans remains uncertain as the club monitors how his toe and non-throwing shoulder respond during the week.

Kittle exited the opener in the second quarter after recording four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown. Jake Tonges replaced Kittle and made the first three catches of his career, including the 4-yard touchdown pass from Purdy with 1:34 remaining that delivered a 17-13 victory.

Purdy completed 26 of 35 passes for 277 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions in the win. Shanahan emphasized the staff will watch how Purdy heals through the week before deciding whether to start him. "We're not sure," Shanahan said about Purdy's status. "We have to see how it heals and how the week goes on it." If Purdy cannot go, the 49ers have a veteran alternative: Mac Jones, the former New England first-round pick who signed with San Francisco in March and has been working to assimilate into the offense.

Receiver Jauan Jennings also sustained a shoulder injury in the opener. An MRI came back clean, Shanahan said, but Jennings still needs a CT scan to determine whether he will miss time. The team on Monday re-signed receiver Kendrick Bourne to a one-year deal worth up to $5 million; Shanahan suggested Bourne could play a larger role if Kittle and Jennings are sidelined.

Right guard Ben Bartch was listed day-to-day after suffering a minor knee sprain in the opener. Shanahan did not forecast extended absences beyond those already announced.

Special teams drew scrutiny after rookie kicker Jake Moody missed a 27-yard field goal and had a 30-yarder blocked in the game — the first time in 19 years that the 49ers had two misses inside 40 yards in the same game. Shanahan said the organization is evaluating options and could bring in competition for the kicking job, recalling that Greg Joseph was among those auditioned in the offseason before being cut early in training camp.

"We're looking at all that stuff now," Shanahan said. "There's options. Whether it's stay the status quo, bringing guys in for a workout, practice squad. But we're going through all that right now. Just finished with the team and I know the personnel department is going to look into all of that stuff and give us options."

Kittle has been a model of productivity and relative durability over his career, recording at least 14 games in seven of eight seasons and posting four 1,000-yard receiving campaigns. He led San Francisco last season with 78 receptions for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns. The team will now weigh the short-term hit to its offense against the benefit of keeping a high-end playmaker available sooner rather than starting the mandatory IR clock.

Purdy, meanwhile, has a history of missing time with injuries. Last season he missed two games because of a right shoulder issue and a right elbow injury. Shanahan praised Jones’ preparation and familiarity with the offense, saying the former Patriots starter "had a good week of practice last week, picking up really right where he left off," and that the roster would rally behind him if he were asked to start.

The 49ers face the New Orleans Saints this week. With questions swirling around Kittle, Purdy and Jennings, San Francisco’s coaching and personnel staffs said they would continue medical evaluations and explore roster adjustments in the days ahead, including potential additions at kicker and increased involvement for recently re-signed personnel.