49ers activate George Kittle off injured reserve to play vs. Cardinals

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article_body => "Tight end George Kittle on Thursday detailed verbatim the conversation that convinced coach Kyle Shanahan to allow Kittle to return to action for the 49ers' game Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cHe asked me if I wanted to play,\" Kittle said. \"And I said, \u2018Hell, yes.\u2019 And he said, \u2018Sounds good.\u2019<\/p>\r\n\r\n\u201cThat was our conversation.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe 49ers officially activated Kittle off the injured reserve list, making him eligible to play for the first time since sustaining a fractured cuboid bone in his foot on Nov. 1 in the 49ers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe 49ers announced that defensive lineman Kevin Givens (not injury related) has been downgraded to out for the game on Friday. The team also announced the following roster moves:<\/p>\r\n\r\n--Offensive lineman Colton McKivitz was activated from the Reserve\/COVID-19 List;<\/p>\r\n\r\n--Defensive lineman Darrion Daniels was promoted to the active roster from the team's practice squad; <\/p>\r\n\r\n--Defensive lineman Alex Barrett and tight end Daniel Helm were activated from the team's practice squad (COVID-19 replacement);<\/p>\r\n\r\n--Cornerback Tim Harris and wide receiver Jordan Matthews were activated from the team's practice squad (standard elevation;<\/p>\r\n\r\n--Quarterback Nick Mullens and running back Raheem Mostert were placed on injured reserve.<\/p>\r\n\r\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/49ers\/49ers-injury-report-richard-sherman-ruled-out-game-vs-cardinals\">49ers on Thursday ruled out<\/a> Mullens (elbow), Mostert (ankle), receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and free safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) from playing against the Cardinals.<\/p>\r\n\r\nKittle is back, but Shanahan said he will take into account the fact Kittle has not played in a while when determining his playing time on Saturday. Kittle typically plays every offensive snap. He likely will see more time on the sideline with Ross Dwelley and Jordan Reed mixing into the action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h5>RELATED: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/bayarea\/49ers\/kyle-shanahan-reveals-who-played-kyler-murray-49ers-tuesday-practice\">Shanahan reveals who played Kyler at 49ers' Tuesday practice<\/a><\/strong><\/h5>\r\n\r\nShanahan on Thursday explained that there is no reason to prevent Kittle from returning to action. After all, the bone has healed completely and Kittle had two good weeks of practices.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\"He's probably one of the healthiest guys we have right now -- the freshest,\" Shanahan said. \"He had two good weeks of practice, and he feels great after it. We wouldn't put him out at all if there was any risk of reinjuring this or he wasn't healed.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\nKittle, who was chosen as a first-team All-Pro in 2019, has appeared in just six games this season. He has 37 receptions for 474 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a key contributor to the 49ers' running game as a blocker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/49ers-talk\">Download and subscribe to the 49ers Talk Podcast<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<drupal-url data-embed-button=\"url\" data-embed-url=\"https:\/\/art19.com\/shows\/49ers-talk\/episodes\/9f292597-8fed-44d7-84dc-2544e59f02bb\" data-entity-label=\"Embed social\" data-timestamp=\"1608681581\" data-url-provider=\"ART19\"><\/drupal-url>\r\n\r\n <\/p>\r\n"
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49ers

/ by Matt Maiocco

49ers

Matt Maiocco

Tight end George Kittle on Thursday detailed verbatim the conversation that convinced coach Kyle Shanahan to allow Kittle to return to action for the 49ers' game Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals.

“He asked me if I wanted to play," Kittle said. "And I said, ‘Hell, yes.’ And he said, ‘Sounds good.’

“That was our conversation."

The 49ers officially activated Kittle off the injured reserve list, making him eligible to play for the first time since sustaining a fractured cuboid bone in his foot on Nov. 1 in the 49ers' loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

The 49ers announced that defensive lineman Kevin Givens (not injury related) has been downgraded to out for the game on Friday. The team also announced the following roster moves:

--Offensive lineman Colton McKivitz was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 List;

--Defensive lineman Darrion Daniels was promoted to the active roster from the team's practice squad;

--Defensive lineman Alex Barrett and tight end Daniel Helm were activated from the team's practice squad (COVID-19 replacement);

--Cornerback Tim Harris and wide receiver Jordan Matthews were activated from the team's practice squad (standard elevation;

--Quarterback Nick Mullens and running back Raheem Mostert were placed on injured reserve.

The 49ers on Thursday ruled out Mullens (elbow), Mostert (ankle), receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring), cornerback Richard Sherman (calf) and free safety Jimmie Ward (concussion) from playing against the Cardinals.

Kittle is back, but Shanahan said he will take into account the fact Kittle has not played in a while when determining his playing time on Saturday. Kittle typically plays every offensive snap. He likely will see more time on the sideline with Ross Dwelley and Jordan Reed mixing into the action.

RELATED: Shanahan reveals who played Kyler at 49ers' Tuesday practice

Shanahan on Thursday explained that there is no reason to prevent Kittle from returning to action. After all, the bone has healed completely and Kittle had two good weeks of practices.

"He's probably one of the healthiest guys we have right now -- the freshest," Shanahan said. "He had two good weeks of practice, and he feels great after it. We wouldn't put him out at all if there was any risk of reinjuring this or he wasn't healed."

Kittle, who was chosen as a first-team All-Pro in 2019, has appeared in just six games this season. He has 37 receptions for 474 yards and two touchdowns. He also is a key contributor to the 49ers' running game as a blocker.

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