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San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle returned to action on Sunday, putting together his best performance of the season at a crucial time. Kittle caught six passes for 129 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers 37-8 win over the Green Bay Packers.
The performance was impressive, but it was all the more remarkable because Kittle was playing through pain. Earlier in the day, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Kittle was dealing with a broken bone in his ankle. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan offered some clarity on the injury.
Shanahan: Kittle is playing with a bonechip in his ankle. Bone is stable but it's going to be painful.
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) November 25, 2019
Shanahan describes the injury to Kittle as "A piece of tree bark that came off" Made a swishing motion with his hand like bark peeled off an oak. There's your visual, folks.
— Niners Nation (@NinersNation) November 25, 2019
Kittle did not look the worse for wear, but we can expect to see him on the injury report as the 49ers begin preparations for facing the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13. Barring any unexpected setback, Kittle should be good to go for next Sunday, but as Shanahan said, dealing with some pain. He is a must start in fantasy football when active, even when he is at less than 100 percent capacity.