Nick WagonerDec 31, 2025, 09:17 PM ET
- Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In over a decade with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 and 2023 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle left no room for equivocation when asked whether he expects to play in Saturday night's regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, .
"Absolutely," Kittle said.
Kittle missed the Niners' win against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night because of a sprained left ankle. He did not practice in the week leading up to that game, and though he had held on to hope he could play, the Niners erred on the side of caution.
But the signs have pointed to Kittle's return this week. He was a limited participant in practice Tuesday and was present for practice Wednesday. Though coach Kyle Shanahan offered no assurances of Kittle's availability on Tuesday, Kittle made it clear he was feeling much better Wednesday.
"[I feel] fabulous," Kittle said. "Great position for Saturday night to punch a 1-seed. So just with that, I'm doing fantastic."
In addition to Kittle getting a second straight day of participation in practice, the Niners welcomed running back Christian McCaffrey (back stiffness) and fullback Kyle Juszczyk (hip) back Wednesday after they did not participate Tuesday. McCaffrey said Tuesday that his back issue was "not serious."
Left tackle Trent Williams (right hamstring) and defensive lineman Keion White (groin) were not seen during the early portion of practice open to media. That duo's potential availability figures to be more tenuous for Saturday night after missing the first two days of practice on a short week.
The 12-4 Niners meet the 13-3 Seahawks on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT at Levi's Stadium with the winner taking home the NFC West Division crown, the NFC's No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
