Kittle returning to lineup after 6-game absence

George Kittle is back in the fold for the San Francisco 49ers.

The All-Pro tight end, who's been sidelined for the past six games with a fractured bone in his foot, will play in Saturday's game against the Arizona Cardinals, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Thursday.

Kittle will be on a snap count, but Shanahan said he "looked great" at practice this week and joked that Kittle is now one of the healthiest players available to the team.

Upon his return, Kittle will be catching passes from C.J. Beathard. Jimmy Garoppolo has yet to be activated from injured reserve with his ankle injury and Nick Mullens has an elbow injury Shanahan believes will require Tommy John surgery, according to David Lombardi of The Athletic.

Beathard has appeared in only spot duty this season.

The 49ers have been eliminated from playoff contention. The Cardinals currently sit in the NFC's final wild-card spot and can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a loss or tie by the Chicago Bears.

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