NEWSLETTER
A sense of relief and surprise fell over me today, when the Bears injury report didn’t immediately send me into a state of sadness. In fact, this was one of the most encouraging injury reports Chicago’s football team has had in quite some time.
But on the other side of the field, the San Francisco 49ers can’t quite say the same. Not when a groin injury that tight end George Kittle suffered in practice earlier in the week kept him from practicing today.
And apparently, it could even keep him out of action Sunday against the Bears:
We’ll have a better feel for Kittle’s status by Friday. By then, two other injury reports will have been released. If Kittle doesn’t practice in either of those, then I’d consider him doubtful to play on Sunday in Chicago. But even if he doesn’t practice, I wouldn’t rule him out. Kittle is a gamer. Put aside the accolades, of which there are plenty, Kittle is the type who will play through whatever to help his team win. In other words, it’s tough to assume a groin injury will keep him out of action.
But maybe the Niners will see Week 1 of a 17-game season as an opportunity to give him extra rest. Looking at what lies ahead for San Francisco and it looks like a gauntlet of a schedule. It might be better to play it safe. Just saying…
