Niners Exclude George Kittle from Rams Game Roster

George Kittle, tight end for the San Francisco 49ers, will be sidelined for the upcoming game against the Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury. This announcement was made official by the team on Saturday, eliminating any uncertainty regarding his availability.

In light of Kittle’s absence, the 49ers have promoted tight end Brayden Willis from the practice squad. He will provide additional support alongside Eric Saubert and Jake Tonges, who will take on a more prominent role in the offense.

Additionally, the team elevated defensive end Sam Okuayinonu from the practice squad to bolster their defensive line. His addition comes as a precautionary measure, especially considering that star defensive end Nick Bosa is listed as questionable for the game. Bosa, who has been dealing with a rib injury, displayed a full practice participation on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday after sustaining the injury during a one-on-one drill.

Coach Kyle Shanahan shed some light on Kittle’s condition during a press conference. He indicated that Kittle felt sore after a full practice on Wednesday, and the discomfort persisted into Thursday. As a result, Kittle did not practice on Friday, which ultimately led to his classification as doubtful.

The 49ers will have a challenging matchup against the Rams without some of their key players. In addition to Kittle, they will also be missing running back Christian McCaffrey, who is currently on injured reserve with Achilles tendinitis, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Samuel is expected to be out for a couple of weeks due to a calf injury.

In Kittle’s absence, Saubert is anticipated to take over starting duties. Coach Shanahan expressed confidence in Saubert’s abilities, stating, “I thought he’s done a hell of a job. He’s stepped in well.” He also noted that Saubert had already shown his capabilities during the previous game against Minnesota, where he took on extra responsibilities while Kittle dealt with cramping issues.

Shanahan acknowledged Saubert’s consistency since joining the team, praising his readiness to embrace challenges and contribute effectively in both the passing and running game. “If he’s got to do it all, he’s up for the challenge,” Shanahan emphasized, indicating that Saubert has proven to be a reliable option.