The San Francisco 49ers pulled off a gutsy 23-19 upset over the Philadelphia Eagles in their NFC Wild Card playoff game on January 11, 2026, at Lincoln Financial Field, advancing to face the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. But the victory came at a heavy price, as star tight end George Kittle suffered a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon early in the second quarter.
It happened on what seemed like a routine play—Kittle hauled in a 6-yard catch from Brock Purdy along the sideline, got tackled, and immediately grabbed the back of his leg. No contact caused the injury; it was one of those heartbreaking non-contact moments that every player dreads. He stayed down for a bit before being carted off the field, and the 49ers quickly ruled him out for the rest of the game. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after the win that it was indeed a torn Achilles, a brutal blow for the 32-year-old who’s been the emotional heartbeat of the team.
Despite the loss of their All-Pro tight end—who finished the regular season with 57 catches for 628 yards and 7 touchdowns in just 11 games—the 49ers showed the same resilience that’s defined their injury-riddled 2025 campaign. They trailed at halftime but rallied in the fourth quarter, with Christian McCaffrey stepping up big by catching two touchdowns (including one on a clever trick play). The defense sealed it late, forcing a turnover on downs to keep the defending Super Bowl champs out of the end zone. It’s another chapter in a season where San Francisco has overcome missing key players like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and others, yet still finds ways to win.
The road ahead gets tougher without Kittle. Recovery from a torn Achilles typically takes 9 to 12 months, meaning he could miss most—if not all—of the 2026 regular season. For a player whose game thrives on explosive power, blocking, and yards after catch, getting back to full strength won’t be easy, especially at his age. Doctors note that while some athletes like Aaron Rodgers have bounced back relatively quickly in the past, full explosiveness isn’t guaranteed right away.
Here are a few powerful shots capturing the tough moment when Kittle went down and had to be carted off:
And for a reminder of the energy Kittle brings when healthy, here’s one of him in action:
The team has already shown they can rally—teammates have praised how Kittle stayed positive from the locker room, encouraging everyone even through the pain. Prayers are up for a strong recovery; knowing his legendary toughness, he’ll attack rehab the same way he attacks every play on the field. For now, though, the 49ers keep pushing forward, one gritty win at a time.
