49ers injury update: Former Iowa football star misses practice

Story byScout Springgate, Hawkeyes WireThu, December 25, 2025 at 11:45 AM UTC·2 min readAfter reports confirmed that legendary former Iowa football tight end and current 49ers star George Kittle suffered a low-to-mid ankle sprain during the team's 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, the ninth-year pro was absent during San Francisco's first practice of the week ahead. While the absence of Kittle on the first day of the 49ers' Week 17 practice is not too much of a surprise, it is still noteworthy to report, especially as he now has just two days to improve his availability before the team makes its initial game status designations. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAlong with reporting Kittle's injury absence, The Athletic's Matt Barrows also shared that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 6-foot-4, 250-pound tight end has a "chance to play" on Sunday night against the NFC North-leading Chicago Bears (11-4). Kittle has been a significant factor in San Francisco's potent offense that has averaged 34.4 points per game throughout its current five-game winning streak. During those past five games, Kittle has 31 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns, including a team-leading seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Colts on Monday night. As previously mentioned, Kittle has two more days to get his reps in on the practice field before the 49ers make their initial game status designations on Friday afternoon, so there is still some optimism that the former Hawkeye could suit up this weekend. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSunday night's 49ers-Bears contest from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., will begin at 7:30 p. m. CT and be broadcast on NBC. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly ) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.