Team-period work is a much stronger indication of game readiness than simply being activated from PUP. For a top fantasy tight end returning from an Achilles injury, this materially improves Kittle’s short-term availability outlook.

The remaining question is workload. Participating in team drills does not yet establish that Kittle is ready for his normal snap share.

Reduce the Week 1 injury discount another step. Keep Kittle in the TE1 tier, but maintain a workload-risk flag until San Francisco clears him for normal practice or confirms his Week 1 role.

George Kittle — TE, San Francisco 49ers

Kittle has reached another important checkpoint in his Achilles recovery, participating in team drills for the first time since tearing the Achilles in January.

That represents a meaningful progression from the individual and noncompetitive work he had been doing after coming off PUP. San Francisco is still easing him back, but his chances of being available for Week 1 continue to improve.

Kittle continues to clear meaningful checkpoints. The arrow is pointing in the right direction, but full football participation remains the final hurdle before FAZE removes the early-season workload concern.