"It's not like tight end George Kittle has been missing in action since returning a little more than a month ago from a torn hamstring. He's been as relentlessly positive as ever, cracking up teammates while at the same time inspiring them to do greater things. It's no accident the 49ers' two best rushing games against Atlanta and the New York Giants came with Kittle delivering key blocks and setting a physical tone."
"Yet Kittle and quarterback Mac Jones hadn't made the game-day passing connection in the same way it happened with Brock Purdy. That changed in a big way Sunday in a 42-26 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Levi's Stadium. When Purdy comes back, he knows where his bread is buttered. It starts with Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle. Jones knows all about getting McCaffrey the ball and now he and Kittle are on the same wavelength in the passing game."
"Kittle caught nine passes for 84 yards and scored on a 13-yard pass from Jones in which he somehow stayed in bounds, extending the ball over the goal line before his knees hit the ground. In my senior year (at Iowa), I had a similar play on the sideline, Kittle said in the aftermath. My back foot hit out of bounds as I was entering the end zone, and they called me out of bounds on the 1-inch line."
George Kittle returned from a torn hamstring more than a month ago and immediately impacted the 49ers with energy, leadership and physical blocking. Kittle's blocking helped produce the team's best rushing games against Atlanta and the New York Giants. The passing connection between Kittle and quarterback Mac Jones improved substantially in a recent game, with Kittle catching nine passes for 84 yards and scoring a 13-yard touchdown. The touchdown showcased concentration and body control on the sideline. Kittle's reintegration into the offense will play a key role in determining playoff chances as the team navigates upcoming games.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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