George Kittle made his long-awaited return for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 7 against the Atlanta Falcons after missing five games with a hamstring injury. The All-Pro tight end tore his right hamstring in the season opener against Seattle.
His return provided a morale boost for an offense that had been inconsistent without him. Statistically, Kittle’s night didn’t stand out. He finished with no receptions and wasn’t targeted often in the passing game.
That led to some criticism from fans and fantasy owners who expected an immediate impact through the air.
“So the NFL hypes up George kittle comeback and he finishes the game with zero yards ? Tired of this rigged a*s sh*t. Fanduel ruined sports,” a fan wrote.
So the NFL hypes up George kittle comeback and he finishes the game with zero yards ? Tired of this rigged ass shit. Fanduel ruined sports
— Mr Biased (@BiasedNate) October 20, 2025
“Realizing that George Kittle produces just as many fantasy points when he’s on IR as when he is active,” a fan wrote.
“Did we really wait all this time to start healthy George Kittle and from him to put up a ZERO?” A fan wrote.
“George Kittle and Bijan playing with my money,” a fan wrote.
“George Kittle when I have US currency on him,” a fan wrote.
“Waited weeks to put George Kittle back into the lineup. Weeks!” a fan wrote.
While the frustration from fans is understandable, the numbers don’t tell the full story in this scenario. Despite a statistically poor outing, Kittle made a massive impact on the game and was one of the key reasons why the 49ers managed to win the game.
George Kittle Had an Impactful Game
Kittle played a key role in San Francisco’s ground attack, helping the team rush for 174 yards. His blocking opened lanes for Christian McCaffrey and visibly improved the run game’s rhythm. Calling his performance terrible misses the context.
This was his first game action in more than a month, coming off a serious soft-tissue injury that often lingers. While his receiving production was quiet, his blocking presence and effort were strong. Kittle’s return re-established balance in the offense, and once his timing and explosiveness return, his receiving numbers should follow.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed before the Falcons game that Kittle would not be on a snap count. That decision reflected the team’s confidence in his recovery and conditioning.
Kittle had taken part in limited practice sessions leading up to the game and said he “fully planned to play” once he got medical clearance.
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