George Kittle Makes Impressive Recovery, Lifting 665 Pounds Ahead of 2026 Season

George Kittle's latest recovery video has 49ers fans hyped, and for good reason. The All-Pro tight end is on track to be ready for the start of the 2026 season, a remarkable feat considering the initial belief that the injury could sideline him for a significant portion of the year.

What happened?

On Friday, strength and conditioning coach Josh Cuthbert shared a video of Kittle lifting an astonishing 665 pounds, offering the latest encouraging glimpse into the star tight end's impressive recovery. The video, which was shared on Twitter, shows Kittle ripping smelling salts and repping 665lbs ahead of training camp.

Why it matters for George Kittle

Kittle's progress is a testament to his hard work and dedication to his rehabilitation. The surgery went well, allowing Kittle to recover much faster than is common for more severe Achilles injuries. There is growing optimism within the 49ers organization that Kittle could be ready to suit up when San Francisco opens the regular season against the Los Angeles Rams in a Week 1 international matchup in Australia.

What comes next?

"I was so impressed by the way he was moving (at Tight End University), and I was impressed the last week of OTAs, how he was moving," fullback Kyle Juszczyk recently said. "He was doing this zigzag drill, and he told me he had reached like 16 miles an hour that day. I was already impressed with that. But then, seeing him go through that warm-up, I was like, 'Wow, I really do think there is a chance that he's ready for Week 1.'"

Kittle's determination to return to the field as soon as possible is evident in his words. "I'm a little bit ahead of schedule, so I'm trying new things," Kittle said. "My trainers are like, 'Yeah, just simmer just a little bit.' Basically, what my surgeon told me is don't be a dumbass, and I'm trying my best to just not be a dumbass." Kittle added, "I am on a tight leash, but I'm pulling as hard as I can."

The 49ers will be keeping a close eye on Kittle's progress in the coming weeks, and fans will be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to see him back on the field. With his impressive recovery and determination, it's clear that George Kittle is a force to be reckoned with in the NFL.

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