49ers' George Kittle gives big update, Jake Tonges embraces 2025 fame

Cam Inman, The Mercury News on Aug 15, 2026

Published in Football

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SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jake Tonges made a catch in Saturday’s practice, and George Kittle celebrated.

Then Luke Ferrell snagged a Brock Purdy touchdown pass, and Kittle raised his arms in triumph.

Even seldom-targeted Hayden Rucci got into the mix, to the delight of all tight ends.

While Kittle recovers from his Achilles repair, he’s living vicariously through his fellow tight ends’ exploits, and he sayid that could change sooner rather than later.

“We’ve attacked this the right way, and we’re very much ahead of schedule, and hopefully I’m on the field here in a little bit,” Kittle said in a SiriusXM NFL Radio interview that will air Sunday.

Kittle remains on the Physically Unable to Perform list but is showing impressive agility and speed in side-field drills, keeping alive the possibility of a season-opening comeback in Australia against the Los Angeles Rams.

“We’ve checked the boxes,” Kittle added. “My surgeon told me, ‘Push it, just don’t be an idiot.’'”

An hour before Kittle, Purdy and Fred Warner spoke on SiriusXM’s panel before 20 select fans in a Levi’s Stadium lounge, Tonges was at the media podium for the first time since his season-opening heroism Sept. 7 in Seattle, where a game-winning touchdown marked his first career score.

Tonges proudly keeps that keepsake in a glass case, seeing how that play gave him confidence as well as coaches and Brock Purdy. In nabbing Purdy’s 4-yard, desperation heave before cornerback Riq Woolen could with 1 1/2 minutes to go, Tonges put himself on the NFL map as a fourth-year veteran.

He’s reminded of that whenever he meets fans. “It’s either the touchdown in Seattle or some fantasy waiver wire stuff or some first-touchdown betting line,” Tonges said of his fame. “I don’t get tired of it. It’s great that people either recognize me or appreciate the play. It really was a turning point in my career. I appreciate when people bring it up and say congratulations.”

A Cal product, Tonges went undrafted and joined the Chicago Bears four years ago, when he found himself battling for a roster spot with nearly a dozen other tight ends. The 49ers added him to their practice squad early in the 2023 season, he played all but one game in 2024, then helped fill in for Kittle last season as a sure-handed target while tallying his first stats: 34 catches, 293 yards, and five touchdowns.

Tonges got rewarded with a new contract in March (two years, $8 million), and that newfound job security meant he could sign a one-year lease for a house and, for the first time in his career, not have to play in a preseason game last Thursday night against the Tennessee Titans.

With Tonges and Farrell still the 49ers’ top options until Kittle is at full strength, camp has afforded a lot of reps for Rucci, Brayden Willis and Josiah Deguara; undrafted rookie Khalil Dinkins worked out Saturday after being waived July 25.

Deploying three tight ends has become a trendy look across the NFL, and while 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk qualifies as one in some of the 49ers’ sets, defensive coordinator Raheem Morris believes that look isn’t fading.

“It’s a copycat league. Like anything else, any success, people will try to do it too until it’s stopped,” Morris said.

Down to three QBs

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke watched practice but did not suit up, two days after sustaining a first-half rib injury and getting further evaluated at a hospital.

Stat lines in 11-on-11 action for the other quarterbacks: Purdy 8 of 14, Mac Jones 11 of 16, and Adrian Martinez 6 of 7.

Purdy’s first completion went to a sliding Mike Evans over the middle. Purdy has not thrown many interceptions this camp, and he barely avoided one Saturday when Renardo Green cut off a pass intended for Evans.

Health center

Among those still not practicing were running back Christian McCaffrey (unspecified tightness), safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring) and defensive ends Nick Bosa (knee tendinitis) and Keion White (adductor). Juszczyk (finger), wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf) and running backs Jordan James (rib) and Kaelon Black (adductor) ran on the side.

Wide receiver Jacob Cowing returned from a hip issue and caught a deep pass from Jones down the right sideline late in practice.

Also out were wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (undisclosed), guard Brett Toth (concussion) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (adductor).

Three players injured Thursday night practiced: cornerback Jack Jones (hand), linebacker Nick Martin (stinger) and safety Marques Sigle (oblique).

Guard competition

Rookie Carver Willis took his initial reps with the first-string at left guard. Connor Colby opened practice there after most first-team reps the previous week went to Rob Jones, who also got the start in Thursday’s 19-13 preseason-opening loss.

“It’s a three-man race. May the best man win,” left tackle Trent Williams said. “They’re all playing their butts off. Carver is the youngest and has more to learn but he has a high ceiling and tons of potential. I can’t wait to see how he develops.

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