George Kittle’s two touchdown receptions helped the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Arizona Cardinals 36-30 at Levi’s Stadium and move to 3-0. Kittle added four catches for 82 yards. San Francisco also had players removed from the field by cart for the third straight week.
Kittle’s first touchdown covered 10 yards and gave the 49ers a 29-20 lead. Coach Kyle Shanahan said the route matchup favored Kittle, while quarterback Brock Purdy said the pass needed to arrive quickly, before Kittle could gain more yards. Purdy later made light of Kittle being penalized for holding on a play that initially looked like it would result in a touchdown run.
The penalty instead preceded Kittle’s touchdown catch two plays afterward. Kittle credited Purdy’s self-assurance and Shanahan’s confidence in the quarterback.
Kittle missed six games last season because of a hamstring injury and suffered an Achilles tear in a playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned for San Francisco’s season opener in Australia. Kittle said after the Arizona game that his legs were improving but that he was not fully healthy.
A Kittle bobblehead giveaway was held at the stadium, and he gave the figure an 8.5 rating, saying it needed a longer beard and more tattoos.