Bhan-🚨 The Heartbeat Returns: After Five Painful Weeks on the Sideline, George Kittle Is Finally Back — Activated by the 49ers Just Hours Before Their Must-Win Clash Against the Falcons.San Francisco’s offense has looked lost without its emotional leader, but with Kittle cleared for action, everything changes. Expect energy, chaos, and a statement comeback under the Levi’s lights.

George Kittle Returns — 49ers Star Activated in Time for Crucial Clash vs Falcons

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The wait is over.
After five long games on the sidelines, George Kittle — the heartbeat of the 49ers offense — is officially back.

San Francisco activated the All-Pro tight end from injured reserve on Saturday, setting the stage for his long-awaited return Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons at Levi’s Stadium. Kittle, who suffered a hamstring injury in the season opener, finally rejoined practice this week and reportedly looked “explosive, locked in, and loud” — vintage Kittle energy.

The timing couldn’t be more critical. The 49ers’ offense has looked flat in his absence, struggling to find rhythm in both the run game and red zone. Without their star tight end’s presence as a blocker and safety valve, San Francisco ranks dead last in the league in yards per carry (3.1) and near the bottom in rushing yards per game (82.2).

Now, they’re hoping Kittle’s return reignites their identity.

“George changes everything,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said after Saturday’s walkthrough. “The physicality, the emotion, the energy — that’s who we are when he’s on the field.”

Alongside Kittle, the team also activated defensive lineman Kevin Givens, who has recovered from a preseason pectoral injury and will make his season debut Sunday. Givens’ return brings a much-needed boost to a defensive front missing key veteran depth.

But not all news was good in Santa Clara.
To make room on the 53-man roster, the 49ers placed four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner on injured reserve following ankle surgery — a crushing blow to the heart of their defense. Warner’s leadership and sideline-to-sideline presence will be impossible to fully replace, though Shanahan says the team expects him back “before the playoff push.”

The Niners also waived tight end Brayden Willis and placed receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling on IR earlier this week with a calf injury. Meanwhile, receiver Malik Turner and offensive lineman Nick Zakelj have been elevated from the practice squad for depth.

For Kittle, Sunday night won’t just be another game — it’s a statement. The two-time All-Pro has 542 career catches, 7,405 yards, and 46 touchdowns, and he’s on a mission to prove he’s still one of the league’s most complete tight ends.

“I’ve missed this — the crowd, the energy, the contact,” Kittle said with a grin. “It’s time to go hit somebody again.”

As the 49ers prepare for a pivotal NFC showdown under the Levi’s lights, one thing’s for sure: with George Kittle back, the heartbeat of San Francisco is beating again.