Will George Kittle play for the 49ers against the Bears in NFL Week 17?
Kittle suffered an injury in the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 16 win in Indianapolis, leaving him doubtful for today’s SNF clash.
49ers tight end George Kittle remains in contention to play on Sunday Night Football, despite being unable to practice ahead of San Francisco’s NFL Week 17 matchup with the Chicago Bears.
What injury does Kittle have?
Having suffered an ankle injury in the 49ers’ Week 16 clash with the Indianapolis Colts last Monday, Kittle has been listed as doubtful to face the Bears.
“Not ruling him out”
Speaking to reporters earlier this week, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle has “a chance” of making the Chicago game. “We’re not ruling him out,” explained Shanahan, who has said he expects a game-day decision on the 32-year-old’s fitness.
In line with Shanahan’s comments, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday that Kittle “will test out his ankle pregame”. Rapoport added: “While most players don’t play if they don’t practice all week, Kittle is intent on testing it out to see if he’s got a shot.”
#49ers star TE George Kittle, who hasn’t practiced this week with an ankle sprain, will test out his ankle pregame to see if he can go, source said. While most players don’t play if they don’t practice all week, Kittle is intent on testing it out to see if he’s got a shot.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 28, 2025
Now in his ninth NFL campaign since being drafted by the 49ers in 2017, Kittle also sat out Weeks 2 to 6 this season, as a result of a hamstring injury.
49ers injury report vs Bears:
- Out: Renardo Green (neck), Kurtis Rourke (knee)
- Questionable: George Kittle (ankle), Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle)
Bears vs 49ers: times, how to watch
In Week 17 of the 2025 NFL regular season, the 11-4 49ers host the 11-4 Bears today, Sunday Dec. 28, with kickoff at Levi’s Stadium scheduled for 8:20 p.m. ET/5:20 p.m. PT.
In the U.S., the game will air nationally on NBC. Your streaming options include the online platform fubo, which offers a free trial.
San Francisco, whose playoff spot was confirmed in Week 16, heads into Week 17 on a five-game winning streak, having beaten the Colts 48-27 six days ago.
Lying one win behind division leaders the Seattle Seahawks, the Californians remain in the hunt for the NFC West title, along with the 11-4 Los Angeles Rams. If the 49ers fail to win tonight, however, the 12-3 Seahawks could end the division-title race this week. Check out the Week 17 permutations in this NFL explainer.
The Bears, meanwhile, were confirmed as NFC North champions when the Green Bay Packers lost 41-24 to the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
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