San Francisco tight end George Kittle didn’t sound overly concerned about his ankle injury after Monday night’s win over the Colts, but he didn’t appreciate either the way he was tackled on the play, or the quality of the field in Indianapolis he was playing on.
“My concern level? I don’t think it’s a high-ankle sprain, so we’ll take it one day at a time and go from there,” Kittle said.
Kittle said he suffered the injury on what he believes was an illegal hip-drop tackle in the second quarter. He also said the artificial turf at Lucas Oil Stadium was an issue.
“It happened in the second quarter,” Kittle said. “I feel like I got hip dropped, ankle got stuck in the grass or the turf, the cork turf, really weird field. Tried to tape it up, went in in the third quarter, really got worse from there. If I can’t run very fast or plant I think it’s better to have other tight ends in there making plays.”
Kittle caught seven passes for 115 yards and a touchdown, and that included two catches for 37 yards in the third quarter, so he was still able to play at a high level after suffering the injury. That would seem to be good news for Kittle’s availability on Sunday against the Bears.
The Colts’ Monday night loss to the 49ers is the Bills’ gain. And the Jaguars’. And the Chargers’.
All three teams have officially clinched playoff berths, as a result of the 49ers beating Indianapolis, 48-27.
The Broncos and Patriots also have clinched, nailing down five of the seven AFC berths. The remaining spots will go to the AFC North champions (Steelers or Ravens) or the third wild-card position (Colts or Texans).
In the NFC, five teams also have clinched: Seahawks, Eagles, Rams, Bears, and 49ers. The final spots will go to the NFC South champion (Buccaneers or Panthers) and the final wild-card team (Packers or Lions).
Of the 10 that have qualified, five were’nt playoff teams in 2024. The field of new playoff teams will be as high as seven, if the Colts and Panthers make it. Six, if only one of them does.
Brock Purdy threw five touchdown passes as the 49ers rolled to a 48-27 win over the Colts on Monday Night Football. Joe Montana was the last 49ers quarterback to throw five touchdowns when he did it in 1990.
The 49ers improved to 11-4 with a fifth consecutive win. The Colts fell to 8-7, with their loss clinching playoff berths for the Bills, Chargers and Jaguars.
Purdy hit four different receivers for scores, with running back Christian McCaffrey catching touchdowns of 2 and 9 yards. Jauan Jennings had a 3-yard score, Demarcus Robinson a 22-yard score and George Kittle an 11-yard score.
Linebacker Dee Winters iced the game with a 74-yard interception return off Philip Rivers with 3:26 remaining.
The 49ers gained 440 yards, scored on 7-of-9 possessions (not counting kneel downs to end it) and didn’t punt again. They have not punted since Nov. 30 against the Browns. San Francisco missed a 64-yard field goal off the crossbar to end the first half, and Purdy threw a late interception that went through the hands of Kendrick Bourne on the only two drives they didn’t score.
Purdy was 25-of-34 for 295 yards, and McCaffrey had 21 carries for 117 yards and six catches for 29 yards. Kittle caught seven passes for 115 yards before leaving with an ankle injury.
The Colts had 312 yards, with Rivers going 23-of-35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and the pick-six. Alec Pierce caught four passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns, and Jonathan Taylor ran for 46 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries and caught three passes for 33 yards.
49ers tight end George Kittle injured his ankle in the third quarter of Monday Night Football. The team lists him as questionable to return.
Colts defensive back Jaylon Jones was covering Kittle when Kittle pulled up, limping, as Kendrick Bourne caught a pass in front of him for a 2-yard gain with 4:07 remaining in the quarter.
Kittle limped off the field and appeared in pain on the sideline.
He has seven catches for 115 yards and a touchdown.
The Colts turned it back into a one-score game on Jonathan Taylor’s 1-yard touchdown run with 12:41 remaining in the fourth quarter. The 49ers now lead 34-27.
Brock Purdy opened the second half with his fourth touchdown of the night.
The 49ers extended their lead to 31-17 with 10:58 remaining in the third quarter.
Purdy has hit four different receivers for scores, with Jauan Jennings the latest to catch a touchdown pass for the 49ers. Jennings had a 3-yard touchdown on a third-down throw.
Purdy also has touchdown throws of 22 yards to Demarcus Robinson, 2 yards to Christian McCaffrey and 11 yards to George Kittle.
He is 18-of-23 for 227 yards, and Kittle has seven catches for 115 yards.
The 49ers have 314 yards after a 64-yard, eight-play drive to open the second half.
