George Kittle Is Running 16 MPH and the NFC West Is Not Ready For It

Alright, 12s, buckle up because I've got news from down south that's gonna make your blood boil just a little. You know George Kittle, that tight end for the Niners? The dude who tore his right Achilles back in a playoff game on January 11 against the Eagles? Yeah, *that* guy. Well, he's apparently targeting a Week 1 return, and get this, he just hit over 16 miles an hour in his rehab. Seriously. Less than three months out from the season opener, and the dude is already flying. This is the kind of stuff that keeps you up at night, knowing what we have to face in the NFC West.

The "Pretty Sick" Speed That Has Us Worried

Kittle spilled the beans on the *Pardon My Take* podcast over the weekend, saying he got a run in and "hit over 16 miles an hour." He even called it "pretty sick." *Sick* for him, maybe. *Sick to my stomach* for us. He's 21 weeks out from the injury, running in cleats on a field, and he's "having a great time." Can you believe it? He's not just running, he's doing single-leg box jumps and he's "cutting again." That last part, the cutting, that's what makes you know he's getting close to full form. It’s a huge step, a

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nd frankly, it's a terrifying thought for any defense in the league, especially ours.

What "Cutting Again" Actually Means For the Hawks

Let's be real, Kittle has been a Pro Bowler seven times. The guy is a problem, even when he's banged up. Last season, he made the Pro Bowl despite only playing 11 regular-season games because he was dealing with hamstring and ankle injuries. And now, after tearing his Achilles, he's back on the field, doing lateral movements and hitting speeds faster than some skill players can manage fresh. Our boys, Coach Mike Macdonald and the crew, they're always putting in the work, but seeing a rival like Kittle bounce back this fast from such a brutal injury? It just means the challenge in our division is going to be as tough as ever right out of the gate. So, he's looking to be back for Week 1. That's the target. The thought of Kittle being at full speed when the whistle blows on opening day is a grim one. The stakes are already sky-high in the NFC West, and a healthy Kittle just raises them even higher. We'll need our defense absolutely locked in from the jump. We gotta be ready for whatever those guys throw at us because it's clear Kittle is not going to be taking it easy. Go Hawks!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.