49ers star TE Kittle (knee) to miss game vs. Jets

San Francisco star tight end George Kittle has been ruled out of the 49ers' Sunday road game against the New York Jets due to a knee injury.

Kittle injured his left knee last Sunday during the team's 24-20 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He had four receptions for 44 yards before exiting.

The two-time Pro Bowl selection missed practice all week before coach Kyle Shanahan announced Friday that he wouldn't play against the Jets.

Shanahan said he waited on making a decision due to Kittle's history of being able to persevere through pain. Ultimately, though, the coach decided to leave Kittle in the Bay Area with a cross-country flight looming Friday.

"I think if it was just the normal person, we would have ruled him out earlier in the week, but we never do that with George because of what he's shown us here over these three years with him," Shanahan said. "We would have held out two more days to wait and see if it was a home game, but with us having to travel today, we had to decide whether it was worth it to bring him.

"If he's not going to play, it's much better to leave him here for a couple days and let him get his rehab and everything. So, we had to make that decision a little bit earlier today. That will help him."

Kittle is fresh off back-to-back outstanding seasons. He caught 88 passes for 1,377 yards and five touchdowns in 2018 and followed with 85 receptions for 1,053 yards and five scores last season.

San Francisco cornerback Jason Verrett (hamstring) will also miss the Sunday contest. Defensive end Dee Ford (neck) is questionable.

--Field Level Media