San Francisco 49ers fans have spent the entire 2024 season thus far wondering one thing: "When are we ever going to start getting healthy?"
The injuries have piled up at an alarming rate in San Francisco. Christian McCaffrey. Deebo Samuel. George Kittle. Javon Hargrave. Dre Greenlaw. And even quarterback Brock Purdy was unexpectedly added to the injury report this week with a sore back.
Purdy was quickly cleared to play, but none of the others listed above were certainties to appear in Sunday's upcoming game with the New England Patriots, and several are already ruled out. Fortunately, the 49ers finally got some good news on the injury front this week.
Kittle, who missed last week's game with a hamstring strain, appears to be ready to rejoin the fray for Sunday's game at Levi's Stadium.
"I'm very excited to play football," Kittle said, per Nick Wagoner of ESPN. "I think there have been some circumstances that have happened this year, so we're just trying to cover our bases and be as honest as possible. But no, I am feeling fantastic."
Few players are more essential to what the 49ers do offensively than Kittle. He's a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro, equally proficient at blocking and aiding the run game as he is when targeted in the passing game.
Samuel also returned to practice on Thursday, though his status for Sunday remains somewhat murky. He was initially slated to miss "a couple of weeks," according to head coach Kyle Shanahan, and has only missed one so far.
With the Patriots struggling to get anything going on offense so far this year, the 49ers could be primed for a get-right game on their home turf. And if Kittle can round into form ahead of Samuel's return, the 1-2 49ers could quickly eat up ground in the NFC playoff race.
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