The Green Bay Packers are preparing for a challenging matchup on Sunday when they host the San Francisco 49ers. As they prepare to face the NFL's second-ranked offense, the Packers face the difficult task of slowing down the 49ers' arsenal. One of their biggest challenges will be limiting tight end George Kittle, who head coach Matt LaFleur considers one of the best of all time.
“He’s one of the best at the position,” LaFleur said Thursday. “I think he embodies how they want to play, the style of play. He is relentless. He will fight for every inch and every blade of grass on the field. I have a lot of respect for him, having competed against him so many times and watching him every week in this league.
“I think he’s an absolute master.”
Kittle, a five-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, is having another productive season in his eighth year. His seven receiving touchdowns are the third-most in the NFL and first among tight ends, while his 560 receiving yards rank him second at the position in 2024.
Kittle is widely considered one of the best all-around tight ends in the league and has enjoyed numerous successes against Green Bay over the years. In six games against the Packers (including playoffs), Kittle has totaled 414 yards on 26 receptions and two touchdowns. He is also known for his blocking and was also instrumental in San Francisco's running game, which also had some success against Green Bay.
The only thing that has slowed Kittle since he and Kyle Shanahan joined the 49ers in 2017 has been injuries. Unfortunately for Kittle, he is nursing a hamstring injury that forced him to miss last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Although he missed training on Wednesday, he has no intention of sitting out Sunday.
“I’ll play on Sunday,” Kittle said . “Very excited. I can’t miss playing the Packers, so no, I’ll definitely be out there.”
Kittle promises to play in Week 12 and will face a Green Bay defense that is giving up more than five receptions and 55 yards per game to tight ends this season. . He certainly has the respect of LaFleur, but defenses will have to deal with Kittle's elite skill set while also working to limit the 49ers' dangerous arsenal.