Fantasy Alert: 49ers’ George Kittle Out vs. Rams in Week 3 amid Hamstring Injury

Andrew PetersSeptember 21, 2024

Alika Jenner/Getty Images

The San Francisco 49ers have added another player to the injury report.

Star tight end George Kittle will miss Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. The team announced on social media Saturday that he has been downgraded to out with a hamstring injury.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Thursday that Kittle did not practice while dealing with hamstring tightness.

Kittle played in the Niners’ first two games of the season, recording 40 receiving yards in Week 1 against the New York Jets before posting 76 receiving yards and a touchdown in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week.

With Kittle out, San Francisco will look to Eric Saubert to step up in his place. Saubert, a 2024 addition who spent last season with the Houston Texans, has 26 receiving yards on two receptions through the first two games of the year. The 49ers also have second-year tight end Jake Tonges available in the tight end slot.

Along with announcing Kittle’s status, San Francisco promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad.

The Niners have dealt with the injury bug early on this season. Star running back Christian McCaffrey has not played yet this year and is currently on the injury reserve. Star receiver Deebo Samuel will also miss Sunday’s game due to a calf injury.

Having two of Brock Purdy’s favorite receiving options out for Sunday’s matchup, the 49ers will hope to get a big game from Brandon Aiyuk, who has struggled early on this year with just 71 receiving yards through Weeks 1 and 2. Aiyuk inked a four-year, $120 million extension in August, but has not lived up to that lucrative deal so far.

The defending NFC champs are 1-1 after a disappointing loss to the Vikings in Week 2, but they’ll have the chance to bounce back against the Rams this week, though they’ll have to do so while missing a handful of key players.