49ers’ George Kittle appreciates shout-out from Patriots coach

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is excited to face the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick on Sunday at Gillette Stadium

George Kittle has been showered with accolades — not to mention a massive contract extension — in his years with the 49ers. But hearing the praise he received from New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was particularly special.

“Kittle is a great player. He does everything well,” Belichick said Monday in a conference call with Bay Area media. “I put him right at the top of the league there, period. Ability to run, catch, get open, after the catch, block. I mean, he does everything at a high level.”

Kittle appreciated the shout-out.

“It’s awesome,” Kittle told KNBR on Tuesday afternoon. “Someone like coach Belichick, with the success that he’s had and sustained it for so long. He’s obviously seen a lot of good football players.”

Kittle, a first-team All-Pro last season and a two-time Pro Bowl selection, had seven catches for 109 yards an a touchdown for the 49ers in their 24-16 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium. San Francisco travels to play at New England on Sunday.

After he missed Week 2 and Week 3 games vs. the Jets and Giants, respectively, with a knee injury, Kittle has rebounded with a combined 26 receptions for 336 yards and two touchdowns. He has also rushed for a score.

“He’s as good as anybody that I’ve coached or as good as anybody we’ve played against,” said Belichick, who coached Rob Gronkowski for nine years from 2010 to 2018. “He’s got a great skill set and the 49ers put him in position that really stress a defense.”

“I appreciate the kind words and it just makes me more even more excited to go play my first game in Boston, in Foxborough, and leave a mark,” said Kittle, who was awarded with a five-year, $75 million extension in August. “So I’m really looking forward to this Sunday.”

The state of California earlier Tuesday granted permission to professional sports teams to host fans in outdoor stadiums. It was initially thought that the 49ers would be able to allow fans to attend games as early as next month when they host Green Bay. But the Santa Clara County Public Health Department quickly put the kibosh on that idea, saying in a statement that “audiences at professional sporting events will not be allowed anytime soon in Santa Clara County.”

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That’ll be disappointing to the 49ers, of course, but especially Kittle, whose parents and wife were used to watching almost all of his games in person.

“My mom, she hasn’t missed the game in I’m pretty sure two years. My dad missed one last year, my wife missed one last year. I always like having them all of my games,” Kittle said. “But fun fact, my whole family’s actually been out in California the last three weeks for these last three home games so that was pretty fun. They all leave this week actually.

“So they’ve been here and they’ve been supporting. Maybe not being able to get to the games, but being able to see everybody know the week before and also after games has been fun these last three weeks.”

After the 49ers lost to the Miami Dolphins 43-17 on Oct. 11, Kittle called former 49ers captain Joe Staley for advice on how to help lead the team.

“I learned a lot in that conversation and I do every single time I talk to Joe,” Kittle said, adding that Staley told him to, “just be yourself because you’re already a leader the way you are. Just make sure you’re just holding everybody accountable. When guys aren’t holding each other accountable is when things start slipping through.”

MY HOUSE PUNK! Deebo, McGlinchey & Grasu our the final nail in the coffin! Nice team win boys. Proud of everyone and the OL for looking a lot better tonight. @19problemz @mmcglinch68 @Hroniss4Heisman #49ers #FTTB #DeeboSanuel pic.twitter.com/rsNCwMookH

— 49er_Edits (@49er_edits) October 19, 2020

Kittle was asked about offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey headbutting center Hroniss Grasu three times after Deebo Samuel picked up a game-clinching first down against the Rams late in the fourth quarter.

The 49ers on Tuesday placed offensive lineman Ben Garland on injured reserve and can ill afford another lineman missing time. Garland was hurt Sunday.

Behind a solid performance by the offensive line, the 49ers ran the ball 37 times for 120 yards against the Rams.

“Mike’s one of a kind ,and he is a psychopath in all the right ways and that’s why I love him because like we’re very similar in that regard,” Kittle said of McGlinchey. “So, we’re actually lucky that we weren’t standing next to each other because I think that celebration could have easily gotten more violent.”

OTHER TRANSACTIONS: The 49ers also announced Tuesday that cornerback Parnell Motley, claimed off waivers from the Buccaneers on Oct. 13, has completed COVID-19 protocols, passed his physical and has been added to the team’s active roster. San Francisco also waived tight end Daniel Helm, who appeared in one game after he joined the team from Tampa Bay’s practice squad on Sept. 30.