49ers TE George Kittle bounced back from a quiet Week 1 with 4 catches, 80 yards, and a TD against Miami. He caught all 4 of his targets, taking advantage of what could prove to be his most favorable matchup of the season.
2026 Fantasy Football Impact: A Clear Step Forward
Kittle’s first catch didn’t surface until the third quarter, but it went for a 40-yard gain. The Dolphins' defense left him open over the middle, and Kittle made them pay with a broken tackle and some nice power through contact for extra yardage. On his 12-yard TD, the defender in coverage completely lost Kittle, making for an easy pitch-and-catch from Brock Purdy.
Overall, Kittle’s usage increased from a 46% route rate in the opener to 56% on Sunday. What limited the passing game was only 49 offensive plays and just 22 pass attempts from Purdy.
Of course, this is still a positive step forward in Kittle’s return from a January Achilles tear. He’ll be a TE1 candidate ahead of Sunday’s home matchup vs. Arizona. Kittle posted a 6-67-2 line in his lone game against the Cardinals last season.
