George Kittle’s hamstring injury lands the 49ers star on IR, sidelining him for at least four games against New Orleans, Arizona, Jacksonville and the Rams. San Francisco must weather the void by leaning on Luke Farrell, Jake Tonges and Kyle Juszczyk while Christian McCaffrey, Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall absorb extra targets. The four-week window comes during the easiest stretch on SF’s schedule, offering a real shot to minimize the blow.

Fantasy managers should watch Juszczyk’s evolving TE role, Tonges’ involvement after Seattle’s outburst, and Pearsall’s ceiling as Purdy’s security option. With McCaffrey and Purdy taking on more responsibility, the offense can still excel, but the middle of the field and red-zone efficiency will feel the absence of Kittle’s all-around impact.

George Kittle is out 3-5 weeks with a hamstring injury, opening streaming TE options for fantasy managers. Juwan Johnson leads as a 3% rostered bolt-on in New Orleans, Brenton Strange sits at 22% rostered in Jacksonville, and Harold Fannin Jr. is a 3% rostered dark horse in Cleveland. Jake Tonges is SF’s immediate fill, with Luke Farrell backing him, while Tonges flashed Week 1 with a game-winning TD. Seattle’s matchup backdrop underscores the risk-reward of these replacements.

Among Week 1 standouts, Johnson posted elite targets, Strange flashed heavy usage with a high snap rate, and Fannin delivered multiple targets and slots work. Tonges showed clutch payoff, while Farrell is the long-shot runner-up. The guidance is clear: target the three higher-usage options first, but keep Tonges and Farrell on a watch list for Week 2 pivots.

George Kittle was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring, forcing four weeks without the All-Pro. Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell will split tight-end duties, while Brock Purdy leans more on Ricky Pearsall after the injury exit. The 49ers’ next four tests come against the Saints, Falcons, Jaguars and Rams, with Kittle eligible to return in Week 6 against the Buccaneers.

Kittle’s absence shifts volume and reliability away from the TE room, but Tonges flashed a breakout moment with his first career TD and Pearsall stepped in as a bigger option in the passing game. Purdy’s floor may dip without Kittle, but the rest of SF’s weapons and the run game could keep fantasy managers afloat during this stretch.

George Kittle is out with a hamstring injury for multiple weeks as San Francisco hosts Arizona in Week 3. The 49ers will lean on Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges at tight end, with Tonges already delivering a Week 1 game-winner. Brock Purdy’s shoulder and toe injuries add risk to SF’s attack, potentially dampening volume if he isn’t at full health. Fantasy managers should watch Purdy’s status and the evolving TE roles, especially in a matchup that could skew to quick throws and screen games while Kittle is sidelined.

Arizona presents a test as SF reshapes its pass-catching plan. In fantasy terms, Tonges and Farrell become actionable depth options if Purdy suits up, with McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel still the core must-starts. The Cards’ defense could force SF into a more balanced approach, potentially boosting run-game reliance and short-yardage TD upside for SF’s TEs in favorable red-zone scripts.