Kittle carted off with Achilles injury in 49ers' game at Eagles

"PHILADELPHIA - George Kittle was carted off Lincoln Financial Field after injuring his right Achilles in the second quarter of the 49ers' game Sunday against the Eagles. Kittle's injury came when he was tackled by safety Marcus Epps on a 6-yard catch that opened the 49ers' fourth series, right after they fell behind 13-7. Teammates Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk immediately arrived at Kittle's side and a couple of Eagles defenders took a knee, signaling a significant injury."

"Kittle's left ankle was taped entering the game as he pushed through a sprain that he suffered in a Dec. 22 win over the Colts in Indianapolis. That injury kept him out the following week when the 49ers beat the Chicago Bears, but he returned in the regular-season finale last weekend, a loss to the Seattle Seahawks. A hamstring injury early in the season-opening win at Seattle shelved Kittle for the next four games."

"Kittle's exit cast an eerily familiar pall over the 49ers' prospects as three years earlier here, when Purdy sustained a torn elbow ligament on their opening drive of the NFC Championship Game. The first half ended with the 49ers down 13-10 and failing to get in position for a potential tying field goal. Purdy scrambled 7 yards to the Eagles' 37-yard line, then fumbled out of bounds to end the half."

George Kittle suffered a right Achilles injury in the second quarter and was carted off Lincoln Financial Field. The injury occurred when safety Marcus Epps tackled Kittle on a 6-yard catch that opened the 49ers' fourth series. Teammates Christian McCaffrey and Kyle Juszczyk and some Eagles defenders reacted immediately. That catch at the 49ers' 29-yard line was his only reception, and he was ruled out after the drive ended. The 49ers responded with a 45-yard reception by Jauan Jennings and a 36-yard field goal by Eddy Piñeiro to trail 13-10 at halftime. Kittle had entered the game with a taped left ankle from a Dec. 22 sprain, had missed earlier time with a hamstring injury, and his exit recalled a prior pivotal injury to Purdy, contributing to a tense first-half finish.

Read at The Mercury News