San Francisco 49ers third-string tight end Jake Tonges didn’t have a catch and was targeted only once through the first 20 games – and three years — of his NFL career.
Nevertheless, when starter George Kittle went down with a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks, Tonges was ready.
Tonges, who grew up a short drive from Levi’s Stadium as a Los Gatos native, caught three passes, including one for a touchdown with 1:34 remaining in the fourth quarter, to help the 49ers rally for a 17-13 season-opening win over the Seahawks at Lumen Field.
“I’m pretty excited,” Tonges told the 49ers Radio Network after the game. “Really a dream come true right there.”
With the 49ers facing a third-and-3 from the Seattle 4-yard line, quarterback Brock Purdy dropped back to pass and had enough time to look to his left — twice — before scrambling to his right.
Purdy then slung the ball toward the corner of the end zone, where the 6-foot-4 Tonges reached over Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen, who got a hand on the ball, and caught it for the first touchdown of his NFL career.
What was nearly Purdy’s third interception of the day turned into an unforgettable moment for the former two-sport star at Los Gatos High.
“I had a corner curl and slipped coming out of my break, and then the scramble drill was on,” Tonges said. “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.”
Looking on from the sideline in a red 49ers hoodie, Kittle flashed a massive smile as thousands of the team’s fans inside the often-deafening stadium began to celebrate.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (88) celebrates with tight end Luke Farrell, center, after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (88) celebrates with tight end Luke Farrell, center, after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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Tonges told reporters later that he asked Purdy, “if he was throwing it out of bounds and he said, ‘No, I was just trying to give you a chance.’ We didn’t want to kick a field goal. Didn’t want to go to overtime. We wanted to score and win it right there.”
Kittle caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Purdy midway through the first quarter to give the 49ers a 7-0 lead, and had four catches for 25 yards before leaving the field with his injury. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have an update on Kittle’s health after the game.
As a career backup, Tonges knows he has to stay ready for such moments, and he finished the game 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 said. “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 High School in 2017 and caught four touchdowns in four years at Cal from 2018 to 2021. He went undrafted but played four games with the Chicago Bears in 2022, playing 34 snaps on offense while not being targeted with a pass.
San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges speaks during a press conference after an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Tonges was waived by the Bears in Aug. 2023 but was signed by the 49ers to their practice squad a few weeks later. Last season, Tonges played in all 16 games for the 49ers but was primarily used on special teams.
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 said. “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 running back Christian McCaffrey said. “Practices really hard, attention to detail is great, willing to block, does all the little things right. Pumped for him.”
It’s a moment Tonges will remember forever. After all, he’s never experienced anything like it in the NFL.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Tonges said of the moment. “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.”
Originally Published: September 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM PDT