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San Francisco 49ers All-Pro tight end George Kittle has been ruled out for Sunday's (September 22) game against the Los Angeles Rams, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Saturday (September 20).
"[The] 49ers downgraded TE George Kittle to out for Sunday’s game vs. the Rams," Schefter wrote on his X account.
Kittle, 30, was downgraded after previously being listed as doubtful due to a hamstring injury. The All-Pro tight end was a surprise addition, along with cornerback Charvarius Ward (hamstring and knee soreness), on the Niners' injury report Thursday (September 19) after participating in full during Wednesday's (September 18) practice.
"[Kittle] and Charvarius, they were sore after practice [Wednesday], like a number of guys are," said head coach Kyle Shanahan via ESPN. "They came in Thursday morning and were still sore. And still today with Kittle. That's the severity of it."
Kittle recorded 11 receptions for 116 yards and one touchdown through the first two weeks of the NFL season. The former Iowa standout played the entirety of the Niners' Week 2 loss to the Minnesota Vikings despite needing an IV at one point.
San Francisco is now without three of its best offense players as Kittle, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey (calf/Achilles tendinitis) and former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel (calf) have all been ruled out for Week 3. McCaffrey, who was ruled out hours before the Niners' Week 1 win against the New York Jets, was placed on injured reserve on September 14, therefore ruling him out until the Niners' October 10 Thursday Night Football game against the Seattle Seahawks.