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The San Francisco 49ers cruised to a 41-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 11 at State Farm Stadium on November 16. Furthermore, the win also marked Brock Purdy’s return from injury.
Purdy went 19 of 26 for 200 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing a much stronger performance than his previous comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 28.
With players like Purdy and Kittle slowly returning to the 49ers from injury, the Niners could be getting an improved offense for their final six games of the 2025 NFL season. As a result, Kittle gave a positive outlook for the team’s offense as they push for the playoffs.
“We’re positioned right where we want to be,” Kittle told reporters postgame (h/t 95.7 The Game ). “Our offense is basically healthy, where we want everybody to be at. If we can just keep rolling, keep making plays, Kyle keeps scheming it up for us. The crazy thing, too, is, what, Ricky [Pearsall] had one catch today? That was more catch than I had in my first game back.
“He’s going to pop off here in a sec because I wish you guys could watch practice the whole week, because he was just on fire the entire week. Just some of the looks weren’t there, but he’s going to have a great game. Then, when Ricky’s running his routes full speed and we get Jauan [Jennings] involved and me and Christian [McCaffrey] and [Kyle Juszczyk], I think it’s just a very lethal offense.”
George Kittle Talks Brock Purdy’s Return to 49ers
The veteran tight end got a boost with Purdy back under center. Kittle caught two of the three touchdown passes Purdy threw against Arizona, finishing with six receptions for 67 yards.
Whether it’s Jones or Purdy directing the offense, Kittle is starting to find his rhythm at an essential point in the season and is clearly pleased to have the 49ers’ starting quarterback back on the field.
“Brock’s presence in the huddle is just so elite,” Kittle said (h/t Nick Wagoner of ESPN ). “He plays the game with this joy that’s so infectious, and it’s just so much fun to play football with him. … He was definitely feeling it. I think he’s got the confidence; he’s got his swagger.”
Christian McCaffrey Doesn’t Hold Back on Brock Purdy
Kittle wasn’t the only 49ers player to weigh in on the signal-caller’s return from injury. After the win over the Cardinals, Christian McCaffrey spoke with reporters and shared his thoughts on Purdy’s performance.
“He was vintage, Brock,” McCaffrey said (h/t KNBR ). “Yeah, and that’s a huge compliment. He was poised, made some great plays, made some huge third-down throws, kept us in the game, was smart the whole game.
“To miss games like that is really hard, and to come back in the middle of the year. I think people just watch and like, Oh, he had a good game, whatever. But to be out that long and to come in and do what he did today is extremely impressive.”
San Francisco will now turn the page for Week 12, and they will be facing another team that’s in the middle of a division fight of their own, the Carolina Panthers , on November 24 at Levi’s Stadium.
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports journalist covering the NFL for Heavy.com. He previously covered the league for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has contributed as a freelance writer for The Sporting News. He also served as an editor for Athlon Sports and Heavy Sports focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
