49ers' George Kittle reveals he had rib injury while setting NFL record

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You likely were impressed with George Kittle's sophomore season with the 49ers, in which he set the NFL single-season record for most receiving yards by a tight end.

But perhaps you'll be even more impressed upon learning Kittle set that record after fracturing his rib cartilage midway through the season.

Kittle said he suffered the injury on the third play of the 49ers' Week 9 win over the Raiders, in which he caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. One of those receptions was with one hand for a 71-yard gain.

Despite the injury, Kittle still played in all 16 games and was on the field for nearly 88 percent of all snaps. Over the final five contests, he averaged 110.8 yards on 6.4 catches per game.

"It was fun, I guess," Kittle said of overcoming the injury. "I don't know, it's just something you play with."

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Given how he performed with the injury, the 49ers have to be feeling great about what a fully healthy Kittle could provide in the season ahead.

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