George Kittle enters Thursday night’s opener against the Rams without a game-status designation on San Francisco’s final injury report.

That removes the biggest question surrounding Kittle entering Week 1: availability.

The remaining concern is workload. Kittle was limited throughout the week as San Francisco managed his return from his Achilles injury, and Kyle Shanahan has indicated the 49ers still intend to be smart with him.

That creates a different fantasy equation. Kittle is available, but managers should not automatically project his normal snap and route volume in his first game back.

START KITTLE — WITH MANAGED EXPECTATIONS.

Kittle remains startable because his touchdown equity and impact when on the field give him meaningful TE1 upside even without a full workload.

Managers should lower his volume projection rather than bench him solely because of the Achilles return. Jake Tonges loses most of the contingency value he carried while Kittle’s availability remained uncertain.

Kittle practiced on a limited basis throughout the week, but San Francisco gave him no questionable, doubtful or out designation on the final injury report.

That is the strongest indication yet that the 49ers expect him to play.

The remaining Week 1 variable is not whether Kittle suits up. It is how much San Francisco asks him to do.

Cleared does not mean full workload.

Kittle’s availability risk has fallen substantially, but his usage risk remains. Treat him as a startable, touchdown-driven tight end with a lower floor than his normal elite profile until San Francisco shows how aggressively it intends to use him.