49ers’ George Kittle Explains Offseason Weight Changes: ‘Really Beneficial for Me’

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 9, 2024

Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle believes having to alter his offseason workout plan will pay dividends over the course of the year.

Kittle was down to around 214 pounds thanks to undergoing core muscle surgery. He not only had to adapt his regimen to account for his recovery but also needed to get back to his usual playing weight. San Francisco lists him at 250 pounds.

“That process was weird for me, but looking back on it, I think it’s going to be really beneficial for me,” Kittle said to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. “It’s going to save some wear and tear on my body.”

Simply being healthy could go a long way for the five-time Pro Bowler too. He only missed one game in 2023 and finished with 65 receptions for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns. The production was all the more impressive considering he believes he spent roughly half the year with the core muscle injury.

49ers on NBCS @NBCS49ersKittle reveals he played for about 10 weeks with the core muscle injury that required offseason surgery 💪 pic.twitter.com/axCQs23FVv

Durability has long been the biggest concern surrounding Kittle.

The 30-year-old hasn’t played a full regular-season slate since 2018. While 2020 was the only year during that stretch in which he was out for more than three games, he has picked up a number of injuries that accumulate over time.

Perhaps Kittle found a formula that will help him hold up better on the field, which would be music to the ears of 49ers fans and fantasy football managers.