SANTA CLARA -- George Kittle told 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan he was “good to go,” so he played the entire second half of Sunday's NFL season opener.
But he certainly did not have Kittle-type of results, as the 49ers tight end was held without a catch during the second half of a 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in a fanless Levi’s Stadium.
"I'm not exactly sure," Shanahan said. "I know he went out with the leg, a lower leg injury. They don't get into specifics with me and at halftime he told me he was good to go, so he returned.
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"I'm sure we'll find out a little bit more tomorrow morning when he comes in.”
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Last season, Kittle sustained left knee and ankle injuries in the 49ers’ Week 9 game against the Cardinals. He ended up playing 48 more snaps in that game but was injured to the point that he missed the next two contests.
Kittle caught four passes for 44 yards on Jimmy Garoppolo’s first four throws his way Sunday. Garoppolo’s fifth throw was high, though, and Cardinals safety Budda Baker hit Kittle as he was coming down. Kittle’s left knee appeared to be hyperextended. He was not targeted for a pass after returning to the game.