...
By Matt Audilet
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The San Francisco 49ers punched their ticket to the divisional round with a wild card victory over the reigning Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night, notching a 23-19 final score at Lincoln Financial Field.
While the 49ers are moving on to the next round of the NFL playoffs, they'll be without superstar tight end George Kittle for the rest of the postseason.
Kittle was carted off the field after suffering a lower-leg injury during the second quarter. He was later diagnosed with a torn Achilles, which will keep him off the field for the majority (if not all) of the 2026 season.
Read More on NFL
The 49ers were understandably upset about the loss of their teammate, who's been with the San Francisco organization since he was drafted with a fifth-round draft pick in 2017.
...
More Football: Eagles’ Jalen Hurts Breaks Silence on OC Kevin Patullo After Playoff Loss
49ers running back Christian McCaffrey reacted to Kittle's injury with an emotional message during his postgame press conference.
“This team has carried the character of George Kittle throughout the entire year, and since I got traded here, he’s the heart and soul of this team,” McCaffrey said. “And so, it’s a tough loss. When he’s not playing, it means a lot. But he’s somebody that, even going through something that he had to go through, and us finding a way to finish, he’s the first guy in the locker room smiling, bumping music, happy for his teammates. And when you lose a leader like that, you never really lose them because his presence is still in this locker room, his energy is still here, and he’s a leader, and the heart and soul of this team. And so, we’re praying for him, love him, and we’re going to play for him the rest of the way.”
More Football: Georgia Lands RB Transfer From SEC Rival Amid Nate Frazier Drama
Just as he has all season, McCaffrey carried the 49ers offense in Sunday's wild card win over the Eagles. The All-Pro weapon finished the game with six catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns out of the backfield, in addition to his 48 rushing yards on 15 carries.
Without Kittle, McCaffrey and the 49ers now turn their attention toward a divisional round matchup against the No. 1 seed Seattle Seahawks.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines