SANTA CLARA — Two of the most respected and influential veterans on the 49ers’ roster were officially headed in opposite directions Saturday.
Tight end George Kittle, out since Week 1 with a hamstring tear, returned to the 53-man roster after missing five games while on injured reserve. Linebacker Fred Warner was placed on injured reserve, where he’ll stay the rest of the season barring an extremely unlikely comeback should the 49ers go deep into the postseason.
Also activated from I.R. is Kevin Givens, who has been out since August with a torn pectoral and can in theory add some depth to a defensive line rotation that needs some help.
In other moves, the 49ers promoted edge rusher Trevis Gipson from the practice squad, while guard Nick Zakelj and wide receiver Malik Turner were standard practice squad elevations.
Tight end Brayden Willis was waived, and if he goes unclaimed could return to the 49ers’ practice squad.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Friday Kittle was expected to play with no restrictions with regard to snap count.
Warner, meanwhile, is home recovering from Tuesday surgery. The 49ers are still getting over the shock of losing their defensive leader along with edge rusher Nick Bosa, who was lost Sept. 14 with a torn ACL and was back at the facility on crutches during open locker room Thursday.
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Ready or not, it’s up to 49ers’ Tatum Bethune to step in for Fred Warner
“Fred, he’s a Hall of Famer first ballot, period,” defensive coordinator Robert Saleh said Thursday. “He still has so many more years left in the tank. For this season to end the way it did, just shameful. But at the same time, I know if we all know Fred, he’s probably gunning to see if he can make it back for a playoff run.”
