Jake

Tonges

The only answer the 49ers reliably had against the Todd Bowles blitz was the Tonges screen, and he managed 38 yards, 27 after the catch, when targeted on blitzes per TruMedia. Mac Jones had only nine passing yards on 11 dropbacks on blitzes when he didn’t target Tonges. The 49ers are one of the real life teams that truly scrapes new meaning out of the term week-to-week right now. Tonges’ status for Week 7 will depend on if George Kittle is activated off injured reserve or not. If Tonges starts, he can again remain a high-floor, low-end TE1 option against the Falcons.

Aside from the yards, it was an evening of new career highs across the board, while the touchdown was Tonges’ third in five 2025 appearances. This, after he entered the season with one career target and zero catches. Tonges has exceeded the wildest expectations for his George Kittle caretaking, but Kittle is eligible to return from his hamstring injury in Week 6, and the early reports are that he just may do so. Tonges’ time in the fantasy TE2 sun could be at an end.

Tonges was hurt early in the game, but would come back and be a featured target for a depleted 49ers passing attack. His touchdown came on a well-designed screen that gave him plenty of open space to operate. Tonges wound up playing 39 snaps. There’s not much TE1 upside here, but Tonges has been a respectable fill-in for the 49ers in George Kittle’s absence.

Tonges is the 49ers’ top tight end with George Kittle on injured reserve, but there isn’t much fantasy value to be had in Kittle’s wake. Tonges was the only San Francisco tight end to earn a target in this game and still managed a measly eight percent target share. Tonges is not on the fantasy radar heading into Week 4.

Luke Farrell scored a touchdown in George Kittle’s absence, but Tonges was the closest thing the 49ers had to a No. 1 tight end. He now has seven grabs for 46 yards and a score through two 2025 appearances. Good stuff for the 49ers, but it’s difficult to envision Tonges truly putting himself on the map in 12-team leagues.

He’ll miss at least the next four games and be eligible to return in Week 6 against the Buccaneers. Kittle is a tough hold in shallow leagues without an injured reserve spot, but given the state of the 49ers offense he probably remains a hold. If Brock Purdy starts this week — that also seems to be in some question — it sounds like Christian McCaffrey will get all the workload he can handle against the Saints. Jauan Jennings feels like a question mark as well but would step in to a major role against the Saints if he can play, along with Ricky Pearsall. Jake Tonges will replace Kittle in the 49ers lineup and isn’t a recommended streamer at this point, though he did catch a touchdown against the Seahawks in Week 1.

Kittle exited in the second quarter of Sunday’s win over the Seahawks and did not return to the field. The veteran tight end dealt with two hamstring injuries last season and will now attempt to work his way back from another to start this season. Kittle caught four passes for 25 yards and a score before his injury. Backup tight end Jake Tonges stepped up to catch 3-of-3 targets for 15 yards and a touchdown, but shouldn’t be counted on as a streaming option in Week 2 against the Saints.

With David Montgomery active for Week 5, the Bears don’t have any major inactives against the Vikings.

Jones got in a limited session on Wednesday, but didn’t respond well and took back-to-back DNPs to end the week. He doesn’t look particularly close to coming back yet. Also inactive for the Bears are DB Elijah Hicks, OL Michael Schofield, DB Lamar Jackson, OL Ja’Tyre Carter, and TE Jake Tonges.

A Cal product, Tonges recorded 22 catches for 278 yards and two touchdowns in 2021, becoming a starter after playing special teams in his first three years at Cal. He had 47 catches, 620 yards, and four touchdowns during his collegiate career. Tonges has an uphill climb to crack Chicago’s roster this summer. The Bears also signed the following undrafted free agents: Iowa State tight end Chase Allen, Florida tackle Jean Delance, Ohio State running back Master Teague, Purdue linebacker Jaylan Alexander, Louisville linebacker C.J. Avery, Miami defensive back Amari Carter, Minnesota defensive lineman Micah Dew-Treadway, Missouri defensive back Allie Green, Ole Miss defensive back Jaylon Jones, and Wisconsin linebacker Jack Sanborn.