PHILADELPHIA — When star tight end George Kittle was helped off the field with a torn right Achilles, the San Francisco 49ers suddenly faced the possibility of another season-defining setback. With defensive standouts Nick Bosa and Fred Warner already sidelined, losing Kittle could have easily unraveled their postseason aspirations George Kittle.

Instead, San Francisco showed once again that resilience has become part of its identity. Adversity no longer defines the limits of this team—it highlights its strength.

George Kittle: Driving Offensive Excellence in the NFL

The 49ers responded to Kittle’s injury by regrouping and grinding out a 23–19 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, clinching a spot in the NFC divisional round. That win set up a Saturday showdown in Seattle against division rival Seahawks.

“This team mirrors George Kittle’s mindset,” running back Christian McCaffrey said. “He’s the heart of this group. Losing him is painful, but his presence and leadership are still felt everywhere.”

Even as he was being carted away, Kittle continued to encourage his teammates, applauding and urging them to keep pushing. After enduring several seasons plagued by injuries, the 49ers have grown accustomed to responding when cornerstone players like George Kittle, Bosa, and Warner are unavailable.

George Kittle suffered the injury midway through the second quarter after catching a short pass in the right flat. As he attempted to turn upfield, Eagles linebacker Zack Baun made the tackle, and Kittle’s right leg gave way. Trainers immediately rushed to his side as he remained down.

George Kittle: A Dominant Force at Tight End

Medical evaluations later confirmed a torn Achilles—an injury expected to keep Kittle out for the remainder of the postseason and potentially much of next season.

Despite losing one of their emotional leaders, San Francisco stayed competitive, entering halftime down just 13–10.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan remarked that there wasn’t much that needed to be discussed. Everyone knew the situation. We liked how we were playing and trusted our toughness to carry us through.”

That belief proved well-founded. Throughout their 12–5 regular season, the 49ers consistently found ways to win in challenging situations. Against Philadelphia, they leaned on inventive play designs, timely decisions, and contributions from unexpected sources to overcome a minus-two turnover margin.

Breaking Down George Kittle’s Impact and Team Resilience

Early in the fourth quarter, trailing 16–10, offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak dialed up a trick play dubbed “Skyy Bang, reverse pass.” Quarterback Brock Purdy pitched the ball to Jauan Jennings, who circled behind him, while McCaffrey slipped unnoticed down the sidelinev George Kittle.

With Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter closing in, Jennings released the throw just before contact. The pass hung in the air, but McCaffrey tracked it perfectly, securing a 29-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 17–16 lead. Carter was also penalized for roughing the passer.

 “I felt extremely nervous after putting it out,” Jennings said. But once I heard the crowd react, I knew CMC had made the catch.” The momentum didn’t settle there. After forcing another stop, Purdy threw his second interception of the afternoon, allowing Philadelphia to edge back ahead with a field goal.

San Francisco answered decisively, marching 66 yards down the field and finishing the drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Purdy to McCaffrey, reclaiming the lead for good.

Standout Performances Fill the Void

The defense sealed the outcome late. With the Eagles threatening in the closing moments, linebackers Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow—both recent additions—played pivotal roles. On Philadelphia’s final possession, Kendricks deflected a pass from Jalen Hurts in the end zone to preserve the victory.

Kendricks and Wallow, who joined the roster in late November and early December, combined for 21 tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups while stepping in for injured starters.

“To an outsider, this may seem improbable,” Kendricks remarked. But inside this locker room, we believe in each other and what we’re building.”

The win marked only the second time under Shanahan that the 49ers emerged victorious despite finishing with a turnover margin of minus-two or worse, improving their record in such games to 2–35.

Purdy finished 18 of 31 for 262 yards, throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions. McCaffrey totaled 114 yards from scrimmage and scored twice, extending his postseason streak to five straight games with at least 100 scrimmage yards. He has now found the end zone in all eight of his playoff appearances, the longest such streak to begin an NFL career.

Up next, San Francisco turns its attention to Seattle, which defeated the 49ers 13–3 on Jan. 3 to claim the NFC West crown.

“I’m glad we get another chance,” Shanahan said. “They defeated us in our previous meeting, but we’re confident we can perform at a higher level.”