Niners' Kittle (Achilles) targets Week 1, says he's 'on track' - ESPN

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Despite tearing his right Achilles and having it surgically repaired 19 weeks ago, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle believes he is on track to return Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.

Speaking to Bay Area media Wednesday, Kittle said that the Achilles is «doing great» and that he has had no setbacks, adding that it's realistic to think he could be back from such a devastating injury roughly eight months after suffering it.

«When I had the surgery and [Dr. Neal] ElAttrache told me, he said, 'Hey, I think if you do everything the right way, you have a chance,' it definitely ignites something and makes you push for it,» Kittle said. «We're on track. We're ahead of schedule.»

Though Kittle still has more hurdles to clear before resuming football activities, signs of his progress were evident during the Niners' OTAs Wednesday. Working on the side during the open session, Kittle was seen doing single leg hops and 20- to 30-yard jogs. He said it was the most he has run since the injury after resuming 100% body weight jogging a couple of weeks ago.

«There's just boxes you have to check before you're cleared to do something else,» Kittle said. «And then once I'm actually allowed to go train the way I want to train, then it'll be just really fun to be able to go back to doing all the football movements I want to do: run blocking, pass pro, running routes, catching the ball. Then, it's just knock some of the rust off because I haven't done a lot since January and just get back out there.»

One potential complication in Kittle's attempt to return for the start of the season is the plane ride to Australia. That game against the Rams is scheduled for Sept. 11 with the 49ers