The San Francisco 49ers received a much-needed boost with quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle returning to limited practice, offering a beacon of hope for an offense battling injuries and seeking to regain its stride amidst a challenging mid-season stretch.
The San Francisco 49ers, currently holding a 4-2 record, saw a significant glimmer of hope this week as key offensive players Brock Purdy and George Kittle returned to limited practice. This development comes as the team prepares to host the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday and grapples with a growing list of injuries, including the season-ending ankle injury to defensive leader Fred Warner.
For fans, the sight of their star quarterback and dominant tight end back on the field, even in a limited capacity, signals a potential turning point for an offense that has shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency in recent weeks.
Purdy’s Return: Managing the Turf Toe Challenge
Brock Purdy, the 25-year-old quarterback who famously went from “Mr. Irrelevant” to Pro Bowl selection in his first full season, has been sidelined for four of the past five games due to a persistent turf toe injury. This issue was initially sustained in the season-opening road win against the Seattle Seahawks on September 7 and aggravated during a September 28 home loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Kyle Shanahan noted that Purdy’s participation on Wednesday was “more limited than Mac” Jones, his replacement.
The severity of turf toe for a quarterback, whose mobility and push-off are crucial, cannot be overstated. Purdy’s brief return in Week 4 against the Jaguars saw him clear 300 passing yards but also throw two interceptions, with toe soreness bothering him later that night, as reported by Yahoo Sports. Prior to his current absence, Purdy had thrown for 586 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions on 73 passes this season.
His replacement, Mac Jones, has admirably stepped in, leading the team to a 3-1 record in Purdy’s absence, passing for 1,252 yards and six touchdowns with three picks. Jones has also been dealing with knee and oblique issues but has managed to remain a more active participant in practice than Purdy. For his career, Purdy boasts a 67.4% completion rate for 10,104 yards and 68 touchdowns, going 24-14 as a starter in 42 regular-season games. He also has a strong playoff record with 1,343 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in six starts, as detailed by Pro-Football-Reference.com.
Purdy’s resilience, from being the 262nd and last overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft to signing a five-year, $265 million extension in May, as confirmed by Yahoo Sports, has endeared him to the fanbase. His current setback is undeniably frustrating for him and the team.
Kittle’s Imminent Return: A Crucial Boost for the Offense and Leadership
The return of George Kittle is perhaps even more critical given the team’s struggles. The 32-year-old tight end has been on injured reserve since hurting his hamstring in the season opener against Seattle, missing five games. With Kittle officially designated to return, the 49ers have a 21-day window to activate him to the 53-man roster, or he will revert to injured reserve for the remainder of the season.
Kittle’s impact extends beyond his impressive receiving statistics. He is a vital component of San Francisco’s passing game, known for his ability to get open and generate significant yards after the catch. Equally important is his role as a blocker in the running game, an area that has reportedly struggled in his absence. Coach Shanahan emphasized Kittle’s value, stating, “Just having him back in the pass game, I think is huge… just having an explosive athlete out there who can run away from people. But both, just having him on the field on every offensive play helps.”
Beyond his physical contributions, Kittle’s presence provides essential leadership. Running back Christian McCaffrey articulated this sentiment perfectly: “His presence is felt in every aspect of the game… His energy is so great, so it would be great to have him back out there.” This leadership is particularly vital following the devastating season-ending ankle injury to linebacker Fred Warner, who underwent surgery on Tuesday, October 15, 2025.
Kittle’s career speaks volumes: 542 receptions for 7,405 yards and 46 touchdowns in 114 regular-season games, including four 1,000-yard seasons. He also boasts 33 receptions for 455 yards and two touchdowns in 12 playoff games. A two-time First-Team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection, Kittle became the highest-paid tight end in NFL history when he signed a four-year, $76.4 million extension through 2029, averaging $19.1 million per year, according to Spotrac.
Navigating the Injury Report: A Team-Wide Challenge
The 49ers’ injury woes extend beyond Purdy and Kittle, creating significant challenges for the team. The loss of Fred Warner, a four-time All-Pro and the undisputed leader of the defense, is a monumental blow. Second-year player Tatum Bethune, a seventh-round pick, is tasked with the daunting responsibility of stepping into Warner’s shoes. Bethune, who registered 10 tackles in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay, will also wear the “green dot” helmet, communicating defensive calls from coordinator Robert Saleh.
Other key players who missed practice on Wednesday and might be unavailable for Sunday’s game against the Falcons include:
- Ricky Pearsall (knee) – Wide Receiver
- Skyy Moore (ankle) – Wide Receiver/Punt Returner
- Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring) – Defensive Lineman
- Dominick Puni (knee) – Right Guard
Additionally, several players were limited in practice, indicating lingering issues:
- Jordan Watkins (calf) – Rookie Receiver, potentially in line for punt return duties if Moore is out.
- Kevin Givens (pectoral) – Defensive Lineman
- Jauan Jennings (ankle, ribs, shoulder) – Receiver
- Renardo Green (neck) – Cornerback
- C.J. West (thumb) – Defensive Tackle
- Kalia Davis (hand) – Defensive Tackle
The return of Purdy and Kittle, even limited, offers a much-needed morale boost and tangible skill injection into an offense that needs all hands on deck to navigate a tough schedule and maintain their playoff aspirations. While the coaching staff remains cautious about their availability for Sunday, the possibility of their return energizes the fanbase and injects a new layer of optimism into an injury-battered squad.
