The San Francisco 49ers may have walked away from the Arizona Cardinals as the victor in Week 3, but the win comes with just as much sour as it does sweet.
With San Francisco already one of the most beat-up teams in the NFL, Mike Evans being carted off before halftime was not what fans wanted to see. But despite all of the injuries, quarterback Brock Purdy has been playing lights out football, and one of his most reliable targets has been there every step of the way.
George Kittle stands as one of the relatively few 49ers who isn't dealing with some injury or another, which is surprising given his unfortunate history with injury. While seemingly half of the defense is teetering on an Injured reserve trip, the Niners' receiver room is also looking thin on the ground.
George Kittle delivered with game vs. Cardinals on the line
Sunday against the Cardinals saw Kittle in full form, catching six of seven targets, and he led the Niners with 82 receiving yards on the day. Kittle's two touchdowns are what put the 49ers into winning territory given that those were the last two scores they put on the board, and they only won the game by six points.
Kittle's touchdown receptions put him up to 55 total career touchdowns, tying him for fourth most ever by a 49ers player. While Kittle tied the great Vernon Davis' touchdown numbers, it still pales in comparison to Jerry Rice's, who put up 176 touchdowns during his 16 seasons with San Francisco. Kittle hasn't been around quite as long as Rice, but given the tight end's current pace, he'd need to play for almost 30 years to reach the same level.
Kittle may not be able to achieve that with his remaining playing time, but those are excellent names to be in company with.
Purdy might be playing at an MVP-like level, but none of that matters if he doesn't have any receivers to throw the ball to. That's why it's so important for him to have someone like Kittle, who has been exemplary this season. Kittle has caught almost everything Purdy has thrown his way.
The 49ers still don't know when Evans will be back, and Week 4 brings an impressive Denver Broncos defense to Levi's Stadium.
The depth chart keeps shuffling, but the constant in the middle of it all wears No. 85.
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