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Kyle Shanahan provides clarity on George Kittle front

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Whenever there’s a George Kittle injury, it’s always tough to gauge its seriousness. Because from Kittle’s perspective, there are relatively few injuries he’d view as serious. If allowed, Kittle would have played through his chipped bone and knee injury sustained against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.

He played the majority of that game through injury to finish with six catches for 79 yards and touchdown, and returned in Week 12 against the Green Bay Packers for six catches, 129 yards and another touchdown.

On Wednesday, Kittle was absent from 49ers practice due to ankle soreness sustained during the 49ers’ 27-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round, a surprise after head coach Kyle Shanahan did not mention Kittle as having any injury.

While Shanahan said he was surprised by how sore Kittle’s ankle was, he does not anticipate it will be an issue in terms of him playing on Sunday. Kittle practiced in full on Thursday, along with Raheem Mostert and Tevin Coleman, while Dee Ford (also out of practice as planned rest) and Kwon Alexander were both limited.

“The soreness did [surprise me] a little bit,” Shanahan said. “That’s why I didn’t bring it up in here before practice. But, I knew he had some wear and tear from the game, was a little sorer than we thought before practice. So, we held him out.”

Asked if he was expecting there to be any issue with Kittle’s ankle in keeping him out Sunday, Shanahan said: “No. I’m not.”