WATCH: George Kittle practices Thursday, expected to play Sunday vs. Packers

Despite missing practice, Wednesday, being listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, tight end George Kittle practiced Thursday and is expected to play Sunday versus the Packers.

All the 49ers fans out there can breathe a sigh of relief. Despite missing practice, Wednesday, being listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, tight end George Kittle practiced Thursday and is expected to play Sunday versus the Packers.

According to NBC Sports Bay Area, head coach Kyle Shanahan said before practice that the 26-year-old would take the field with the team, explaining that the soreness in Kittle’s ankle on Wednesday would not impact his game. Reporters at San Francisco’s practice Thursday shared several pictures and videos of No. 85 back in action with the team after the day to heal.

Kittle missed a couple games this season with an ankle and a knee injury, but the Shanahan said he was surprised when, on Wednesday, Kittle was experiencing enough soreness to need to miss practice (although the coach did acknowledge that he knew kittle had some “wear and tear” from Sunday’s win versus the Vikings).

Kittle has 85 receptions for 1,053 yards this season and five touchdowns. The Niners and Packers kick off at 6:40 eastern time Sunday.