49ers lose George Kittle to hamstring injury in season opener

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco 49ers were dealt an early blow in their season opener Sunday when All-Pro tight end George Kittle was ruled out with a hamstring injury after leaving the game in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle had a strong start, catching four passes for 25 yards and scoring a touchdown before exiting. He was forced out after running to make a block on Seahawks defensive back Julian Love in the open field and was seen favoring his hamstring as he left the play. He did not return and was later on the sideline wearing a 49ers baseball hat while Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges rotated at tight end.

Kittle, 31, missed two games last season with a hamstring issue but otherwise finished 2024 with 1,106 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He also dealt with a groin issue in 2023 but did not miss time other than being rested in Week 17 after the 49ers had clinched a playoff berth.

The injury compounds personnel challenges for San Francisco. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remains on the physically unable to perform list to begin the season after tearing his ACL and MCL last year and will miss at least the first four regular-season games. Running back Christian McCaffrey, who played only four games last season, missed practice Friday with a calf concern but was available to start Sunday.

The 49ers did not immediately release further medical details or a timetable for Kittle's recovery. Head coach and medical staff traditionally provide injury updates following team examinations and imaging, and the club is expected to give an update in the coming days.

Kittle's absence removes a key target in San Francisco's offense and will test the depth of the tight end group and the play-calling balance early in the season. The team has relied on Kittle's combination of receiving and blocking since he established himself as a top-tier tight end, and his departure reshapes matchups and personnel packages for the remainder of the game and beyond.

The game also featured an unrelated injury scare in the NFC West when Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua sustained a bleeding eye on a helmet-to-helmet hit and was evaluated for a concussion before returning. NFL teams commonly monitor contact-related injuries closely early in the season as players reacclimate to game speed.

San Francisco finishes the first week of the regular season with immediate injury questions to address. The 49ers' medical staff, coaching staff and front office will determine short- and long-term plans for tight end rotation and potential roster moves once further imaging and evaluations are complete.