George Kittle is back on the active roster, and Khalil Dinkins is under contract again. The 49ers announced Aug. 23, 2026, they reinstated Kittle from the active/physically unable to perform list and re-signed Dinkins to a three-year contract.
Kittle's activation is the headline. San Francisco drafted the Iowa product in the fifth round in 2017, and he has been the offense's anchor since. Getting him on the practice field now, rather than letting him open the season on PUP, matters for timing with Brock Purdy and a retooled receiver group. Kittle's return immediately upgrades a tight end room that leaned on Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis in his absence.
Dinkins' three-year deal is quieter but significant. He was waived/injured earlier in camp; this is a second chance with real commitment. At tight end, he projects as a blocker and short-area target behind Kittle, with Farrell and Willis competing for the same No. 2 job. The 49ers clearly want him around.
The immediate impact is twofold: Kittle slots back into his top-target, in-line blocking role, and Dinkins gives the team genuine competition for the backup spot. With Kittle healthy, San Francisco can lean on 12 personnel and play-action, the foundation of its offense for years.
Watch Kittle's preseason workload and whether Dinkins starts beating out Farrell. My read: Dinkins' contract is the tell. He wins the No. 2 job.