George Kittle enters locker room with apparent injury in overtime of Super Bowl
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle entered the locker room during the team’s overtime drive of the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It was not immediately disclosed what the issue was regarding an injury. Then, CBS’ Evan Washburn reported it was a shoulder injury.
The game was tied 19-19 after a Harrison Butker field goal near the end of regulation for the Chiefs.
With 9:43 remaining in overtime, on the same drive, Kittle managed to return to the field.
Super Bowl LVIII between Kansas City and San Francisco is headed to overtime in Las Vegas. That means it’s the first playoff game to utilizes the league’s new rules for an extra period.
The NFL Operations as well as ESPN’s Adam Schefter both shared clarifications of the new rules for overtime. They’re worth noting ahead of what could be a fantastic finish between the Chiefs and 49ers.
These rules went into effect following an AFC Divisional matchup between Kansas City and the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo did not get to possess the football due to the previous rules and ended up losing 42-36 in Arrowhead Stadium.
The NFL has seen 28 playoff games since the amendments to the rule and none had needed an extra period. That changed tonight in Allegiant Stadium with a Lombardi Trophy on the line.
Kittle wasn’t the only 49er banged up during the game.
With 8:11 in the third quarter, Washburn of CBS updated fans on Deebo Samuel’s status after he entered the blue medical tent on the sideline.
“Left hamstring, guys for Deebo Samuel. He’s listed as questionable. Out of the blue tent now here now with the athletic training staff on the sideline trying to work through this. Doing some light jogging. Obviously seeing some discomfort but as you mentioned, banged up throughout this season. And even throughout this game. We’ll keep you posted,” Washburn said on the CBS television broadcast.
Luckily for San Francisco fans, Samuel came back in the game a few minutes later in the third quarter. Whatever problems he had with his hamstring, he managed to get those worked out. He even showed some speed down the right sideline on a deep throw, but it was incomplete.