In a crushing development for the San Francisco 49ers, star tight end George Kittle is sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained during Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Kittle left the field in the second quarter and, despite a valiant effort, did not return, playing just 21 out of 76 offensive snaps. His absence is expected to be felt deeply by the team.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed the unfortunate news on Monday, stating that Kittle will miss "a few weeks". The prospect of placing him on injured reserve looms large, which would see Kittle forced to sit out at least four games — an unimaginable setback for the 49ers' playoff aspirations.

Shanahan revealed, "When they tell me a few weeks, [injured reserve] is always a possibility. I mean, in order to do that, it’s got to be a four-week injury, so I don’t think we’ve decided on that yet." This uncertainty only adds to the anxiety surrounding Kittle's recovery.

In the game before his injury, Kittle managed to snag four catches for 25 yards and a touchdown, showcasing his significant role in the team’s narrow 17-13 victory.

With Kittle out, the 49ers will lean heavily on tight ends Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges to step up and fill the massive void left by the Pro Bowl player. How will this impact the 49ers' strategy moving forward? Sports fans will be glued to the edge of their seats as this story unfolds!