Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick causes a fumble by San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during the NFC Championship Game on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
But an injury to his throwing hand early on in the first half of Sunday’s title game took him out before he was eventually forced to return after Josh Johnson was ruled out with a concussion.
The result was a 31-7 blowout by the Eagles.
"Losing your starting quarterback who's a third-string rookie to your fourth-string quarterback who did everything he could – gets hurt right away in the third quarter, and then you can only run the ball – it’s tough, it's frustrating," Kittle said during his post game presser.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle during the Eagles game on Jan. 29, 2023. (Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
"You dress two quarterbacks and neither one of them can throw and neither one of them is really available, it kind of limits what you can do as an offense. Kind of limits our playbook to like 15 plays. So, you can only do so much."
Despite praising his team for putting up a fight, Kittle had a blunt response when asked about what it was like to reach this point in the season only to have injuries take them out.
"How’s that feel to lose an NFC Championship because I don’t have a quarterback? Pretty s----- to be honest. That’s about it."
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the NFC Championship Game at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 29, 2023, in Philadelphia. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
Purdy is set to have an MRI on Monday to determine the severity of his injury as San Francisco’s quarterback situation remains as uncertain as ever.
"It’s a hell of a team. I think we’ll definitely come back," Kittle said. "We have a great foundation, this football team. Great locker room. So, it’s just on to the next one."