49ers roster 2021: George Kittle can get another All-Pro
By Peter Panacy
Why George Kittle regresses with 49ers in 2021
From a statistical vantage point, it’s hard to pinpoint any area in which George Kittle would regress. The Niners could make a change at quarterback sometime this season, going from Jimmy Garoppolo to Trey Lance. But the fact Kittle has been productive with other signal-callers like Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard suggests this won’t be much of a challenge for the tight end either way.
Highlighted earlier, however, is the nagging concern about Kittle’s injury history.
Kittle has missed 10 games over the last two years, which is a sizable number. And there have been other injuries during his pro career, too, that create some worry.
Related Story: George Kittle injury history, outlook for 49ers in 2021
Make of it what you wish, but Sports Injury Predictor actually ranked Kittle as the No. 1 tight end at the biggest risk of injury heading into the upcoming season with a 89-percent chance of missing at least two quarters of action in 2021. Additionally, the prediction suggests Kittle will miss 3.3 games this year, too, which is obviously a point of concern for a San Francisco squad vying for a playoff spot in a rough-and-tough NFC West.
Even though Kittle’s splits last year amid an eight-game season were impressive, his absence ultimately showed he could miss out on both Pro Bowl and All-Pro nods for the simple reason of him not being on the field.
Let’s hope he stays healthy.