George Kittle had a quiet first half against the Dolphins, with the 49ers tight end barely making an impact in the game.
Fans angry with George Kittle low start
His lack of involvement quickly caught the attention of fans and fantasy managers on X, with some even jokingly questioning whether Kittle was actually playing.
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One more fan pleaded with Kittle to make an impact,
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Kittle scored touchdown in second half
However, the game took a dramatic turn after halftime, as Kittle came alive and scored his first touchdown of the season.
Just over a minute into the third quarter, the 49ers tight end hauled in a 12-yard touchdown reception against the Dolphins. Kittle was visibly fired up as he celebrated the score enthusiastically with his teammates.
Dontay Atkinson, 49ers insider, then
Kittle’s return from Achilles injury last season
George Kittle made a remarkably quick return from a torn Achilles, taking the field in the Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams roughly eight months after suffering the injury in January 2026.
The 32-year-old also had a relatively quiet outing in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, finishing with two receptions for 12 yards on five targets. The game, which took place in Australia, marked another limited performance for the 49ers tight end.
Last season, however, Kittle remained a key contributor when healthy. In 11 games during the 2025 NFL season, he recorded 57 receptions for 628 yards and seven touchdowns, earning his seventh Pro Bowl selection.