San Francisco 49ers third-string tight finish Jake Tonges didn’t have a catch and was focused solely as soon as by the primary 20 video games – and three years — of his NFL profession.
Nonetheless, when starter George Kittle went down with a hamstring damage within the first half of Sunday’s sport towards the Seattle Seahawks, Tonges was prepared.
Tonges, who grew up a brief drive from Levi’s Stadium as a Los Gatos native, caught three passes, together with one for a landing with 1:34 remaining within the fourth quarter, to assist the 49ers rally for a 17-13 season-opening win over the Seahawks at Lumen Subject.
“I’m fairly excited,” Tonges advised the 49ers Radio Community after the sport. “Actually a dream come true proper there.”
With the 49ers dealing with a third-and-3 from the Seattle 4-yard line, quarterback Brock Purdy dropped again to go and had sufficient time to look to his left — twice — earlier than scrambling to his proper.
Purdy then slung the ball towards the nook of the top zone, the place the 6-foot-4 Tonges reached over Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, who bought a hand on the ball, and caught it for the primary landing of his NFL profession.
What was practically Purdy’s third interception of the day become an unforgettable second for the previous two-sport star at Los Gatos Excessive.
“I had a nook curl and slipped popping out of my break, after which the scramble drill was on,” Tonges mentioned. “We simply at all times attempt to keep in bounds and keep alive, and Brock gave me an opportunity there, and I did the most effective I may with it.”
Trying on from the sideline in a pink 49ers hoodie, Kittle flashed an enormous smile as hundreds of the group’s followers contained in the often-deafening stadium started to have fun.
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San Francisco 49ers tight finish Jake Tonges (88) celebrates with tight finish Luke Farrell, heart, after a landing in the course of the second half of an NFL soccer sport towards the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Picture/Lindsey Wasson)
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San Francisco 49ers tight finish Jake Tonges (88) celebrates with tight finish Luke Farrell, heart, after a landing in the course of the second half of an NFL soccer sport towards the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Picture/Lindsey Wasson)
Tonges advised reporters later that he requested Purdy, “if he was throwing it out of bounds and he mentioned, ‘No, I used to be simply making an attempt to provide you an opportunity.’ We didn’t need to kick a area objective. Didn’t need to go to additional time. We needed to attain and win it proper there.”
Kittle caught a five-yard landing go from Purdy halfway by the primary quarter to provide the 49ers a 7-0 lead, and had 4 catches for 25 yards earlier than leaving the sector together with his damage. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have an replace on Kittle’s well being after the sport.
As a profession backup, Tonges is aware of he has to remain prepared for such moments, and he completed the sport with three catches for 15 yards.
“I used to be pondering nearly what number of video games I prepped for, and didn’t actually get the chance,” Tonges mentioned. “I sort of know that is my position if George goes down. So, I’m at all times paying further consideration to third-down stuff, to a variety of the go stuff. Simply staying locked in and being constant, since you actually by no means know when your alternative would possibly come.”
Tonges, 26, graduated from Los Gatos Excessive Faculty in 2017 and caught 4 touchdowns in 4 years at Cal from 2018 to 2021. He went undrafted however performed 4 video games with the Chicago Bears in 2022, enjoying 34 snaps on offense whereas not being focused with a go.
Tonges was waived by the Bears in Aug. 2023 however was signed by the 49ers to their apply squad a number of weeks later. Final season, Tonges performed in all 16 video games for the 49ers however was primarily used on particular groups.
The 49ers re-signed him in April — and are glad they did.
“It simply comes right down to alternatives, and in video games, do you get the best look to get the ball and every little thing,” Purdy mentioned. “So he’s been a constant man all all through final yr and camp. George goes down right this moment, after which, increase, (Tonges is) prepared for his alternative. All of us love Jake. He’s a sensible child, and all of us love him, and he’s a brother to us.”
“He’s a man that’s fabricated from the best stuff, too,” 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey mentioned. “Practices actually arduous, consideration to element is nice, prepared to dam, does all of the little issues proper. Pumped for him.”
It’s a second Tonges will keep in mind ceaselessly. In spite of everything, he’s by no means skilled something prefer it within the NFL.
“It’s fairly superior,” Tonges mentioned of the second. “Rising up 20 minutes from Levi’s, it’s simply your dream come true. Wouldn’t need to play for anybody else. I really like these guys. I really like this locker room, and simply need to preserve rolling.”
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