How 49ers Plan To Use Jake Tonges After George Kittle Returns From Injury

How 49ers plan to use Jake Tonges after George Kittle returns from injury originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

With star tight end George Kittle on injured reserve, backup Jake Tonges has filled in almost seamlessly. 

As Kittle nears his much-anticipated return, coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if Tonges could continue to contribute. 

“Yeah, definitely. Jake has given us a lot of confidence,” Shanahan told reporters on Friday. “Him just coming into this role out of nowhere versus Seattle and finishing the game that way and then just each week he’s been thrown in a lot of situations he hasn’t been in before and I think he has rose to the occasion on all of them.” 

Shortly after Kittle exited San Francisco’s Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, Tonges made his presence felt, putting himself on the map with the stellar game-winning touchdown reception. 

San Francisco has run 76.7 percent of their plays in formations with just one tight end, the 7^th-most in the NFL. On the other hand, the 49ers have run just 22.4 percent of their plays in looks with two tight ends, ranking 25^th in the NFL. 

Last season, an even higher number of plays were run with just one tight end at 84.2 percent, 2^nd-most in the NFL in 2024. 

Given that Shanahan mostly opts for formations with just one tight end, one could assume that Tonges will not get as many reps when Kittle returns. But, Tonges’ toughness does not go unnoticed, and that could earn him some snaps as Kittle eases back in. 

“Some of the hits he has taken in a couple of these games where I’ve thought we’ve lost him. It happened early, I think on the first drive versus Jacksonville, and it happened later in the game versus the Rams,” Shanahan noted. “I think he only missed a couple plays… I’ve been really impressed with Jake and that’s why he is earning a role in a lot of ways. 

The third-year tight end out of California posted a career-high 7 receptions in a Week 5 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, notching 41 yards including a receiving touchdown to get the scoring started for the 49ers. 

Coming into the season, Tonges did not have a single career reception. Through five games played in 2025, he has 19 receptions on 27 targets including three touchdowns.  

Despite being a relatively unknown backup before Week 1, Tonges has put himself on the radar and proven that he can perform if needed. 

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast