SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- While San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle just opened his practice window this week and has a full 21 days to return from his hamstring injury before a decision must be made, he made his plans for Sunday night against the Atlanta Falcons clear on Thursday afternoon.

"I fully plan on playing on Sunday," Kittle said. "As long as [ coach ] Kyle [ Shanahan ] lets me. It's up to him. But hopefully I'm out there. Which I think I will be."

The 49ers have been without their star tight end since early in the Sept. 7 season opener against the Seattle Seahawks . After 22 snaps, Kittle injured his right hamstring while running a deep route down the right sideline with 10:06 left in the second quarter.

Kittle, speaking to the media Thursday for the firs

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