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.
However, when starter George Kittle went down with a hamstring harm 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 Area.
“I’m pretty excited,” Tonges instructed the 49ers Radio Community after the sport. “Really a dream come true right there.”
With the 49ers going through 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 received a hand on the ball, and caught it for the primary landing of his NFL profession.
Trying on from the sideline in a crimson 49ers hoodie, Kittle flashed a large smile as 1000’s of the group’s followers contained in the often-deafening stadium started to have a good time.
“I had a corner curl and slipped coming out of my break, and then the scramble drill was on,” Tonges mentioned. “We just always try and stay in bounds and stay alive, and Brock gave me a chance there, and I did the best I could with it.”
Kittle caught a five-yard landing go from Purdy halfway by the primary quarter to offer the 49ers a 7-0 lead, and had 4 catches for 25 yards earlier than leaving the sector along with his harm.
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 was thinking just about how many games I prepped for, and didn’t really get the opportunity,” Tonges mentioned. “I kind of know this is my role if George goes down. So, I’m always paying extra attention to third-down stuff, to a lot of the pass stuff. Just staying locked in and being consistent, because you really never know when your opportunity might 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, taking part in 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 observe squad just a few 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 just comes down to opportunities, and in games, do you get the right look to get the ball and everything,” Purdy mentioned. “So he’s been a consistent guy all throughout last year and camp. George goes down today, and then, boom, (Tonges is) ready for his opportunity. We all love Jake. He’s a smart kid, and we all love him, and he’s a brother to us.”
“He’s a guy that’s made of the right stuff, too,” 49ers working again Christian McCaffrey mentioned. “Practices really hard, attention to detail is great, willing to block, does all the little things right. Pumped for him.”
It’s a second Tonges will keep in mind perpetually. In any case, he’s by no means skilled something prefer it within the NFL.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Tonges mentioned of the second. “Growing up 20 minutes from Levi’s, it’s just your dream come true. Wouldn’t want to play for anyone else. I love these guys. I love this locker room, and just want to keep rolling.”
