The Arizona Cardinals will face the San Francisco 49ers this weekend on the road. It is the second time in three weeks they will face one another.
When they played the last time, tight end George Kittle was productive, catching six passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.
The Cardinals will not have to worry about him in Week 11.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Kittle will not play in Week 11 against the Cardinals, tweeted Darren Urban from the Cardinals official team site.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said TE George Kittle will not play Sunday against the Cardinals. Kittle did a lot of damage against the Cards in the first matchup.
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) November 14, 2019
According to the Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman, Shanahan told Arizona media in a conference call they “won’t have Kittle” on Sunday.
However, also according to Biderman, the team made a correction. A team representative told Biderman Shanahan misspoke on the call. Kittle is unlikely to play but has not been ruled out. Shanahan has to plan on the game without Kittle but anything could happen between now and the end of the week.
Clarification: #49ers spokesperson says George Kittle hasn’t been ruled out for Sunday’s game versus the Cardinals — but that he’s unlikely to play. Shanahan misspoke to Arizona reporters and meant he has to plan that George Kittle won’t play.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) November 14, 2019
The 49ers already will be without starting left tackle Joe Staley and could be without receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
Pass rusher Ronald Blair is done for the season after tearing his ACL, while starting defensive tackle D.J. Jones will miss this week as well.
The Cardinals have given up the most receiving yards and touchdown to tight ends this season. Playing the 49ers without Kittle will be a huge break.
It doesn’t mean the Cardinals will win, but it makes the possibility more likely.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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