George Kittle Plays Through Illness Against Seahawks

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle played Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field despite an illness, giving the team its top receiving tight end for a key NFC West matchup, according to NBC Sports Bay Area.

The 49ers announced Kittle was dealing with an unspecified illness but remained available. He entered the game after recording 16 receptions for 244 yards and four touchdowns through four games this season, according to NBC Sports Bay Area and CBS Sports.

San Francisco also activated defensive end Mykel Williams for his 2026 debut after he returned from a knee injury that ended his 2025 season. Cornerback Upton Stout was also cleared to play after being listed as questionable with a shoulder injury, according to NBC Sports.

The 49ers entered the matchup without defensive lineman Nick Bosa, defensive lineman James Thompson Jr., fullback Kyle Juszczyk, safety Marques Sigle, linebacker Tatum Bethune, offensive lineman Enrique Cruz and quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who were listed as inactive by NBC Sports.

Kittle's availability was highlighted after ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the tight end was expected to play despite his illness.

"San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle has an illness but is expected to play in today's game against the Seattle Seahawks," Schefter said, according to the report.

Kittle had become a major target for quarterback Brock Purdy during the season, while the 49ers also relied on other playmakers including Deebo Samuel Sr., according to Sports Yahoo.

"Deebo Samuel looks like he did five years ago and the way they're using him is insane..George Kittle ran away from everybody and he looks so good out there," Dan Orlovsky said.

The Seahawks listed quarterback Jalen Milroe, running back Robert Henry Jr., linebacker Chazz Surratt, wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. and tight end Nick Kallerup as inactive, with Milroe serving as the emergency third quarterback, according to NBC Sports.