George Kittle crushes 665-pound deadlift, nears Week 1 return

George Kittle sent shockwaves through the NFL community by deadlifting a staggering 665 pounds during a recent workout, signaling his rapid recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in January's wild card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. The 49ers tight end appears on track to suit up for Week 1 when San Francisco faces the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia on September 7.

What happened during Kittle's recovery workout?

Kittle's training session with Josh Cuthbert included inhaling smelling salts before conquering the hex bar squat. He later shared his progress on Instagram, writing, "Another great offseason. Appreciate the boys setting the standard at The Barn." The workout video has fueled speculation about his Week 1 availability, though neither Kittle nor the 49ers have confirmed his status.

Why this matters for the 49ers' offense

Kittle's potential return would give San Francisco a massive offensive boost. An ESPN survey ranked him as the NFL's third-best tight end, with one NFC executive calling him "the most versatile, dominant, complete tight end" when healthy. "He's still the gold standard" for blocking, running and catching, the executive added.

What's next for Kittle's comeback?

The 32-year-old tight end also received stem cell treatment in Panama alongside teammate Kyle Juszczyk. In 2025, Kittle played 11 games, recording 57 catches for 628 yards and seven touchdowns. Over his nine-year career, he's amassed 595 receptions for 8,008 yards and 52 touchdowns in 124 games.

Kittle's progress suggests he could be ready for the historic Australia opener, where his presence would significantly strengthen San Francisco's Super Bowl aspirations.