49ers tight end George Kittle will miss Thursday's practice and his status for Week 3 is in doubt

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle did not practice Thursday and was added to the team's injury report due to hamstring tightness. His status for the Week 3 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday is in doubt. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Additionally, cornerback Charvarius Ward did not practice because of hamstring and knee issues and was placed on San Francisco’s injury report. Ward has not missed a game since joining the 49ers in 2023. Deommodore Lenoir or rookie Renardo Green could take his place. Safety Talanoa Hufanga is expected to make his season debut after recovering from a torn ACL.

Kittle and Ward join wide receiver Deebo Samuel and Christian McCaffrey among the 49ers' injured players. Samuel is out with a calf strain and is expected to miss “a couple of weeks,” according to coach Kyle Shanahan. McCaffrey is on injured reserve and therefore out for at least two more games with Achilles tendinitis and calf tightness.

In Week 2's 23-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, Kittle had seven receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown. In two games this season, he has 11 receptions (on 13 attempts) for 116 yards, second in both categories among 49ers pass catchers.

If Kittle is unable to play, it would be the sixth consecutive season in which he has missed at least one game. The last time the All-Pro tight end played a full season was in 2018, when the regular-season schedule was still 16 games.

Eric Saubert would take Kittle's place. The eight-year veteran is in his first season with the 49ers and so far has two receptions for 26 yards. He previously played for the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans.

The Rams will also be missing two offensive stars for Week 3, with receivers Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out for multiple games.