Trey Lance and the 49ers aren't expected to have one of their top weapons for the second straight week to start the 2022 NFL season.
Tight end George Kittle is not expected to play Sunday’s Week 2 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks as he continues to deal with a groin injury, NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported Sunday. Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the news, citing a source.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
There were several reports of Kittle's status early Sunday morning, with NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reporting Kittle would be a game-time decision, as coach Kyle Shanahan stated after practice on Friday.
Rapoport also said on Sunday morning's edition of "NFL GameDay" that it's unlikely Kittle sees the field.
"I would say it may be unlikely he goes today, but he is really, really pushing to play," Rapoport said. "He knows how important it is for the 49ers, so they are at least going to give him a chance to make it to game time."
Earlier on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported that Kittle is not expected to play due to the injury, which also kept him out of the 49ers’ Week 1 loss against the Chicago Bears.
Kittle made a return to practice on Friday as a limited participant, opening up the possibility that he could give it a go at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. But it appears that is not likely to be the case.
Shanahan said Kittle “looked awesome” on the practice field and seemed encouraged by Kittle’s progress, though he was listed as questionable on Friday's injury report.
RELATED: Bosa addresses 49ers before games, won't top Week 1 speech
San Francisco 49ers
Find the latest San Francisco 49ers news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Kickoff between the 49ers and Seahawks is set for 1:05 p.m. PT, so expect an official ruling on Kittle in the hour or two leading up to the game.