After six months of preparation and hard work, the showdown is finally on the horizon. The NFL regular season is set to kick off this coming Thursday, with the Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Detroit Lions in the season opener.
The San Francisco 49ers are also gearing up to make their mark as they prepare to open the season on September 10. The 49ers will go head-to-head with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh after finishing last season with an impressive 13-4 regular-season record. As the clock ticks down for the franchise, star tight end George Kittle, worth a whopping $50 million, had to take some much-needed rest.
George Kittle and his wife crashed a players’ jungle party!
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
George Kittle finds himself in despair. While the season inches closer, there is still uncertainty surrounding the tight end who has been dealing with an adductor injury. As a result, the 29-year-old was sidelined during Monday’s practice in preparation for the season opener on Sunday. Kittle, a key player with an outstanding rapport with quarterback Brock Purdy, faces a predicament that has fans concerned.
Amidst the turmoil of his injury, Kittle took a well-deserved break from it all. He and his wife, Claire Kittle, a former basketball player, attended a ‘jungle party,’ which George shared on his Instagram, offering a glimpse into the fun times. In the photo dump, captioned, “Follow us into the jungle 🐆🦎🌍🔫❤️🔥” the couple appears to have found themselves in a quirky location for a fun party – a jungle. Kittle dressed as the iconic character Indiana Jones, while Claire sported a Lara Croft costume, the protagonist of Tomb Raider. However, it turns out the couple wasn’t just casually crashing a jungle party; it was actually a players’ party hosted by some of their fellow 49ers teammates. The theme of the party was ‘jungle,’ and the duo was fully invested in matching the aesthetic.
View this post on Instagram
The photo dump also featured Kyle Patrick Juszczyk, the football fullback, alongside his wife, Kristin Juszczyk, who also attended the bash. Despite the lingering uncertainty about his injury, Kittle seemed to be all smiles in the photos.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
An impressive career accompanied by injuries!
Since his stellar 2018 season, Kittle has faced challenges with injuries, missing the first two games of the past season due to a groin injury. The head coach Kyle Shanahan remained optimistic about Kittle’s return to practice on Monday, but his absence continues to raise concerns about his status.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Kittle plays a pivotal role in the 49ers’ arsenal, with his strong rapport with QB Brock Purdy. After Jimmy Garoppolo’s injury thrust him into the starting lineup in Week 13, Kittle caught seven touchdowns from Purdy. During that period, Kittle averaged 0.53 Expected Points Added (EPA) per target, ranking seventh among all players with at least 25 targets during that span. However, one will have to keep an eye on how things unfold as the season approaches.
Watch This Story: Did 49ers sensation Brock Purdy make his father teary-eyed while thrashing Tom Brady’s Bucs