NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports George Kittle “will test out his ankle pregame to see if he can go” in Week 17 against the Bears.

28 December 2025

Rapoport added that Kittle is intent on testing out his ankle. He didn’t mention whether or not the 49ers wanted him to give it a go. Kittle didn’t practice once this week, which is typically a sign that a player won’t suit up. It sounds like Kittle is pushing to play, but we wouldn’t be surprised if the team forces him to take the week off. If Kittle is ultimately inactive, Jake Tonges would take over the starting job for Week 17. Tonges would have some TE2 appeal in a possible shootout with Chicago.