All-Pro tight end George Kittle will not play in the San Francisco 49ers’ game on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury.
Kittle was initially listed as doubtful for the game but was marked as out on Saturday before the team departed for Los Angeles.
He reported feeling sore after practice on Wednesday and missed the last two practices of the week. The 49ers are also without All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, who went on injured reserve last week due to Achilles tendinitis, and star receiver Deebo Samuel, who strained his calf last week.
Kittle had 11 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown in the first two weeks for San Francisco. This will be the first game he misses because of an injury since he sat out the first two games in 2022 due to a groin issue.
He also rested in Week 18 last season after San Francisco secured the No. 1 seed.
The 49ers will be without three of their four players who had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage last season. Kittle, McCaffrey, and Samuel combined for 39 of the team’s 60 offensive touchdowns last season.
Quarterback Brock Purdy has only had 10 plays in his career without those three stars on the field, according to ESPN.
He is 3 for 7 for 49 yards and one interception in those situations, with five of those plays occurring during a blowout loss against Kansas City in 2022 before he became the starter.
Eric Saubert is expected to start at tight end in Kittle’s place. Saubert played 45 offensive snaps in his first two games with San Francisco and recorded two catches for 26 yards last week against the Vikings.
San Francisco has promoted tight end Brayden Willis and defensive end Sam Okuayinonu from the practice squad for Sunday’s game.
