It’s sort of a surprise that a 5-9 San Francisco 49ers team with nothing to play for is bringing back their best offensive player in George Kittle in Week 16 after he’s missed nearly two months due to a foot injury.
It just so happens that Kittle’s return lands in the same week as fantasy football championship games, meaning those who hung on to the talented tight end could benefit.
And if you do have him on your team, the answer — if you’re debating whether to start him or not — is simple: yes, you should start George Kittle.
This week, my advice I gave out to teams in the title game was simple: don’t get cute with your lineup decisions, but do be smart and bold. This is the smart and bold move.
If this was another player at another position who was on a “pitch count” of snaps, I might feel differently. But this is the tight end position we’re talking about. The only names that are absolute studs this season are Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and Mark Andrews. Everyone else is inconsistent or touchdown-dependent or a dart-board throw.
So if you have Kittle sitting on your bench, stick him into your lineup. I’m sure C.J. Beathard looks his way when Kittle is on the field, with plays designed to get the star tight end the ball. If the Niners get anywhere near the end zone, you know he’s going to get some looks there.
The regret you’d feel if Kittle went off while sitting on your bench is greater than if, you start Kittle and he’s terrible and, say, Evan Engram has a good game while in your reserves. A player of Kittle’s caliber at the most shallow position in fantasy is worth that kind of risk.
