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San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said star George Kittle tore his Achilles tendon in the second quarter of the Wild Card Round game against the Philadelphia Eagles, following the team’s 23-19 win.
Kittle was taken off the field after being fouled after being fumbled in the second quarter. He immediately grabbed his right ankle, and replays showed him giving way for tackle Zach Baun without a fight to come off his leg.
Kittle was trying to encourage his teammates as he was being transported, clapping in their direction. But it’s hard not to feel for the 32-year-old, considered by many to be the best tight end in the sport.
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George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off the field during the second quarter in an NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Liff/Getty Images)
It’s a huge loss for the 49ers, as they try to beat the Eagles on the road to advance in the NFL playoffs. The 49ers could have had the top seed, home-court advantage throughout the playoffs, and a bye week, but they fell to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18 to lose the NFC West title and those franchises.
The last time the 49ers traveled to Philadelphia for a playoff game was the 2022 NFC Championship Game, which proved brutal in the injury department for them as well.
Brock Purdy says the 49ers have a ‘chip on their shoulder’ entering the playoffs after missing last season
Quarterback Brock Purdy tore the UCL in his elbow, and after Josh Johnson was also injured, the 49ers were left lifeless at center in what amounted to a rout as the Eagles went to the Super Bowl.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off the field during the second quarter in an NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Even though it’s not Purdy, Kittle is a key part of this entire team, let alone the offense. He provides valuable leadership whether he’s on the field or not, and injuries kept him sidelined during the regular season as well.
Kittle dealt with a hamstring injury that forced him to miss five of the 49ers’ first six regular-season games. They also missed Week 17 with an ankle ailment suffered in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.
The 49ers may have advanced to the divisional round, but Kittle will not be available to play in the future.
George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carried off the field during the second quarter in an NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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Kittle’s ninth year in the NFL saw him record 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. He makes his fifth straight Pro Bowl and seventh overall in 2025.
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