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Kittle Confident to Return Before 2026 Australia Opener

8/16/2026

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Summary

Story summary

George Kittle (tight end) is confident he will be activated before the September 10, 2026 opener in Australia.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache said after surgery that Kittle could be ready for the opener, noting he has met speed and acceleration benchmarks.
He will stay in Santa Clara if not ready for the Melbourne game and says missing Week 1 will not jeopardize his season.

History

Historical Context

In 2007 the NFL staged its first regular-season International Series game, the New York Giants defeating the Miami Dolphins at Wembley after 40,000 tickets sold out in 90 minutes. Building on that London foothold, the league added new markets, and in 2026 the Los Angeles Rams will host the Melbourne Cricket Ground opener, where 49ers tight end George Kittle hopes to debut.

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Story summary

George Kittle (tight end) is confident he will be activated before the September 10, 2026 opener in Australia.
Dr. Neal ElAttrache said after surgery that Kittle could be ready for the opener, noting he has met speed and acceleration benchmarks.
He will stay in Santa Clara if not ready for the Melbourne game and says missing Week 1 will not jeopardize his season.

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