All-Pro tight end George Kittle’s availability appears to be in question for the 49ers’ Week 2 game against the New York Jets.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle sustained a knee sprain in the 49ers’ season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium
“We’ll see how he comes in on Wednesday,” Shanahan said on Monday. “He was a little sore today. We’ll wait to see how he is on Wednesday to see if he’ll be able to practice or go this week.
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“We know there will be some question.”
Kittle caught four passes for 44 yards and had one rushing attempt for 9 yards in the first half on Sunday. But his left knee was injured after leaping for a high pass from Jimmy Garoppolo late in the second quarter.
Kittle was hit by Cardinals safety Budda Baker upon landing, and his knee bent back awkwardly.
San Francisco 49ers
Kittle returned to action at the start of the third quarter and played the remainder of the game. However, Kittle did not catch a pass in the final 30 minutes. Still, Shanahan said he thought Kittle looked good after returning to the game.
“You go off what the player says and what the doctors say, and Kittle was good to go,” Shanahan said. “(He) came back and did a hell of a job for us in the second half. That had nothing to do with his stats and stuff. That has more to do with how he’s playing and the people they’re putting on him. When that happens, got to go different directions.
“We were happy with Kittle. When he tells you he’s all right and you look at him and watch him move, he was good to go in that game."
RELATED: Shanahan does not rule out possibility 49ers will pursue Mohamed Sanu
The 49ers also have a concern with wide receiver/punt returner Richie James, who is likely to miss some time with a hamstring injury that sidelined him in the second half of Sunday’s game.
The 49ers have three wide receivers on their practice squad (Jauan Jennings, Kevin White and River Cracraft), and Shanahan did not rule out the possibility the 49ers could look to bring in veteran free agent Mohamed Sanu.