49ers activate George Kittle from PUP — and Week 1 in Australia is suddenly in play

The 49ers delivered the most encouraging injury news of their summer on Sunday: George Kittle is off the Physically Unable to Perform list, officially activated after missing the opening stretch of camp. The club announced the move this morning, with Cam Inman noting the practical meaning — the tight end will not have to sit out the first four games of the season, and the immediate question becomes whether he suits up for the season opener against the Rams.

David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself): No more PUP for George Kittle means that the 49ers, at the very least, are confident that he’ll be back before Week 5. But signs point to a return far before then, and Week 1 cannot be ruled out

The activation is more than paperwork. Staying on PUP into the regular season would have cost Kittle at least a quarter of the year; coming off now means the 49ers' medical staff believes he's close.

Cam Inman (@CamInman): George Kittle won’t have to miss the first four games of the season on PUP so now the question is whether he will play Week 1 in Australia against the Rams

Signs indicate a return well ahead of that timeline, and Lombardi explicitly would not rule out Week 1, when the 49ers open the season in Australia against the Rams.

For an offense rebuilt around young skill players this offseason, getting its Pro Bowl tight end on the field for the opener would change what the scheme can ask of the passing game from day one. The next checkpoint is simple: watch whether Kittle starts practicing fully this week.