Kittle, always a team player, still hoping for more targets

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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — George Kittle is Jimmy Garoppolo’s third-most targeted pass catcher, but the 49ers' tight end always is willing to do more. 

Kittle has caught 29 of his 41 total targets for 340 receiving yards and two touchdowns through seven games this season, putting him at an average of under 50 yards per game. This is a far cry from the production the tight end saw in his back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2019 and 2020. 

In the past, the All-Pro has been adamant that as long as the team is winning games, his number of targets do not concern him. On Thursday, Kittle was asked if he had approached Kyle Shanahan about increasing his involvement on offense. 

“Yes, and no,” Kittle said. “Have I walked into Kyle’s offense and said ‘Give me the ball?’ No, I haven’t done that but I tell jimmy on the sidelines all the time, ‘Hey, I’m open. I’m in one-on-one coverage. I’m available. Just throw me the ball when you need me.’” 

Only wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel have had more receiving production than Kittle. Aiyuk leads the team with 44 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns. Samuel has registered 34 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns through the air, along with 28 carries for 165 yards and a rushing score. 

Kittle has never been known as anything but a team player, but he’d love more opportunities to impact the game. 

“It happened last week,” Kittle said. “I’d love more than two targets, but it is what it is. We are winning the games, but I love the ball in my hands and I like to provide a spark for the offense.”

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Since his All-Pro 2019 campaign, Kittle has dealt with injuries that have kept him from playing a full season. Prior to the 2022 season, the Iowa product suffered a groin injury that sidelined him for the first two contests. 

Now healthy and in a groove, Kittle hopes to see his production levels return to what he has seen in the past. 

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