49ers lose All-Pro tight end George Kittle to Achilles injury in playoff game vs. Eagles
A San Francisco 49ers team that's been decimated this season by injury lost another key player on Sunday.
All-Pro tight end George Kittle suffered an Achilles injury in Sunday's wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He left the field on the back of a cart shortly after sustaining it in the second quarter.
The 49ers ruled Kittle out shortly after he left the field. They did not offer a precise diagnosis other than that the injury is to Kittle's Achilles tendon. Philadelphia held a 13-7 lead at the time of Kittle's injury midway through the second quarter.
The injury occurred when Kittle planted his right leg while being tackled after making a catch.
george kittle injury; 49ers vs eagles pic.twitter.com/FE5tg80psO
- (@F0RGIAT0) January 11, 2026
Kittle remained down on his back with his right leg in the air. Trainers tended to Kittle on the field before he eventually took a seat on the back of a cart. Kittle sat upright and waved to fans as he was driven off the field.
Prayers up for George Kittle pic.twitter.com/BaRVd2sWwp
- FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 11, 2026
Even the notoriously hostile Eagles crowd shows 49ers TE George Kittle respect as he's carted off. But oof, what a blow. pic.twitter.com/8BCXyrs81i
- Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) January 11, 2026
The 49ers finished 12-5 and made it to the playoffs despite injuries to several key players, including season-ending injuries to All-Pro defenders Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (fractured ankle). Kittle missed six regular season games with a torn hamstring, but returned to finish another strong regular season that earned him his seventh Pro Bowl berth.
Now the 49ers will play the rest of Sunday's game and potentially beyond without their top weapon in the passing game. They were already shorthanded in the passing game due to a knee injury that sidelined wide receiver Ricky Pearsall before kickoff.