Jake Tonges Injury News & Updates

Tonges recorded a two-yard touchdown reception on his lone target while playing five of the 49ers' 48 snaps on offense in Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Texans.

Though Tonges scored his fourth receiving touchdown of the season to tie him for fourth in the league among tight ends, his playing time -- and fantasy value -- has clearly fallen by the wayside following George Kittle's return from injured reserve in Week 7. In Kittle's first two games back in action, Tonges has played single-digit snaps both times out.

Tonges logged eight snaps on offense (12 percent) and was not targeted in Sunday's 20-10 win over the Falcons.

George Kittle (hamstring) was activated from injured reserve for Sunday's contest, which pushed Tonges back down to third on the tight end depth chart. Luke Farrell (33 percent) finished second in playing time behind Kittle (81 percent), as it appears that the coaching staff prefers the former's blocking in the No. 2 role over Tonges' play-making ability. Tonges did an admirable job filling in for Kittle, producing a 25-224-3 receiving line in five-plus games played. Fantasy managers can safely move on from Tonges in Week 8, but he is a name to remember for any games Kittle might miss in the future.

Tonges corralled six of seven targets for 57 yards in Sunday's 30-19 loss to Tampa Bay.

Tonges continued doing his best George Kittle (hamstring) impression in another effective spot-start Sunday. The 25-year-old Tonges has been a pleasant surprise in fantasy during his brief run as the starter, posting a 25-223-3 receiving line through six games. David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reported that Kittle could return from injured reserve in Week 7, which would effectively end Tonges' run of utility. Managers should wait until Kittle is officially activated before making any rash decisions regarding Tonges in Week 7 and onward.

Tonges secured seven of 11 targets for 41 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers' 26-23 overtime win over the Rams on Thursday night.

The third-year tight end was due for an elevated role with Jauan Jennings (ribs, ankle) and Ricky Pearsall (knee) joining Brandon Aiyuk (PUP, knee) and George Kittle (IR, hamstring) on the sideline, and that came to fruition perhaps to an even greater degree than expected. Tonges finished tied with Kendrick Bourne for the team lead in targets, and he opened the scoring on the night with a six-yard touchdown grab to close out the opening possession of the contest. Kittle reportedly has a chance to return when first eligible in a Week 6 road matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Oct. 12, but Tonges has proven capable of serving as an effective complementary pass-catching option with his work during his teammate's absence.

Tonges had three receptions on five targets for 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-21 loss to the Jaguars.

Tonges suffered an injury scare when he needed to have his shoulder examined by the medical staff early in the contest. The Los Gatos, CA native only missed a handful of snaps on offense before returning the game and posting the best receiving line of his young career. Tonges continues to see the lion's share of snaps vacated by George Kittle (hamstring), who remains out of action for multiple weeks while healing on the injured reserve list. The 25-year-old is averaging just 4.0 targets per game in his elevated role this season, so he should be treated as a touchdown-dependent asset heading into Thursday's tilt against the Rams.

Tonges (shoulder) has returned for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Tonges appeared to suffer the injury in the first quarter of Sunday's game. He was checked on by trainers on the sidelines and has been cleared to return to the contest. Tonges is leading a 49ers tight end group that is without George Kittle (hamstring) until at least Week 6 against Tampa Bay.

Tonges suffered a shoulder injury during Sunday's contest against the Jaguars, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Tonges stayed down on the turf early in the first quarter and eventually visited the sideline tent before the 49ers touched on the nature of the injury. For as long as Tonges is sidelined, Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis will handle TE duties with George Kittle (hamstring) logging the third of at least four absences that are required while he's on injured reserve.

Tonges brought in two of three targets for 21 yards in Sunday's 16-15 win over the Cardinals.

Tonges made his first career start Sunday, finishing with 15 more snaps than fellow tight end Luke Farrell. The 25-year-old Tonges failed to replicate the Week 1 touchdown that generated some fantasy buzz, resulting in mediocre production in two appearances with backup QB Mac Jones. Tonges could see a slight uptick in projections if Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder) is able to suit up against the Jaguars next Sunday.

Tonges finished with four receptions on five targets for 31 yards in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints.

Luke Farrell got the start in place of George Kittle (hamstring), but Tonges finished the contest with more snaps played (56 to 41) and targets (five to three). The former cashed in a short touchdown grab to produce the superior fantasy total after Tonges took those honors last week. It appears that both tight ends will help fill Kittle's shoes while the superstar is sidelined for multiple weeks. The timeshare puts a hard cap on Tonges' fantasy potential, limiting his Week 3 value to those in deeper formats.

Tonges and Luke Farrell are in line for more snaps at tight end, beginning Sunday versus the Saints, with George Kittle (hamstring) on IR and set to miss at least four games, Dianna Russini, Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic report.

Tonges stepped up in Kittle's absence Week 1, hauling in all three of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown during San Francisco's 17-13 win over Seattle. Those marked the first regular-season catches of Tonges' career, but Farrell -- who signed a three-year, $15.75 million deal with the 49ers this offseason -- established himself as a blocking specialist across four years with Jacksonville. Farrell remains the likeliest candidate to lead the tight end position in terms of snaps with Kittle out, but it could be Tonges who inherits the majority of pass-catching reps, putting him on the fantasy radar in deeper formats or those that require multiple tight ends to be started.

Tonges hauled in all three of his targets for 15 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 17-13 win over Seattle.

Tonges was forced into action after starter George Kittle (hamstring) exited the contest early. The 26-year-old Tonges did his best Kittle impersonation when he leaped for a high-point pass in the corner of the end zone and came down with the game-winning touchdown. Fellow backup TE Luke Farrell wound up playing more snaps (44) than Tonges (30), but the latter is the more-adept receiver for fantasy purposes. If Kittle is forced to miss any time, then Tonges could generate some value in deeper formats, but his ceiling would be capped by the timeshare he would likely operate under.

Tonges re-signed with the 49ers on a one-year, $1.03 million contract Thursday.

It's the value of the exclusive rights tender for Tonges, who appeared in 16 regular-season games last season but saw just 34 snaps on offense. He played 232 snaps on special teams, and that figures to be where he'll fit in next season, should he make the 53-man roster.

Tonges played all 14 of his snaps on special teams in Thursday's 12-6 loss to the Rams.

Tonges has suited up for all 14 of the 49ers' games, but the reserve tight end has yet to draw a target. He's seen the overwhelming majority of his playing time on special teams, as he's logged just 30 snaps on offense all season.

Tonges was one of three tight ends kept on the 49ers' active roster heading into Week 1 of the regular season.

San Francisco surprisingly kept the undrafted Tonges over 2023 third-round pick Cameron Latu when finalizing rosters earlier this week. The latter was picked up by Cleveland as an addition to its practice squad, while Tonges immediately becomes one of the primary backups to starter George Kittle after earning zero snaps in 2023 as a reserve. Now the question becomes how Tonges is deployed behind his superstar teammate -- in terms of playing time and targets -- compared to fellow backup Eric Saubert.

Tonges signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Tuesday.

Tonges spent last season with San Francisco's practice squad and is now set to return to the team.The 24-year-old hasn't appeared in a regular season game since 2022, and he will now spend the offseason competing for a roster spot.

Tonges was signed to the 49ers' practice squad Wednesday.

Tonges will head to San Francisco after he was waived from the Bears' injured reserve in August with an undisclosed injury. He has clearly left the injury in the past and he'll look to earn an elevation to the 49ers' active roster down the road.

Tonges (undisclosed) tried out with the Broncos on Tuesday, Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports.

After being waived from injured reserve by Chicago with an injury settlement back in August, Tonges now has a chance to catch on with a different team. Denver needs help in the pass-catching department with Jerry Jeudy (hamstring), Tim Patrick (Achilles), Greg Dulcich (hamstring) and Jalen Virgil (knee) all dealing with injuries.

Tonges (undisclosed) and the Bears have reached an injury settlement, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Tonges landed on Chicago's injured reserve after going unclaimed off waivers. The injury settlment means he will now be free to find a new opportunity once he is back to full health. Had he not reached a settlement, his 2023 campaign would have come to a premature end.

Tonges (undisclosed) cleared waivers and reverted to injured reserve Wednesday, per the NFL's official transaction log.

The tight end needs to come to an injury settlement with the Bears to play during the 2023 season. Tonges made the Week 1 roster a year ago, played in four games and did not catch a pass. The undrafted free agent was also waived last November and ended up on the practice squad.

Tonges was waived by Chicago with an undisclosed injury designation Tuesday.

Tonges appeared in four contests with the team last season, seeing just one target, which he was not able to reel in. The 24-year-old was brought back on a reserve/future deal, but it now appears unlikely he'll be suiting up for the Bears this season. Assuming he can clear waivers he'll revert to IR and miss the 2023 season unless he reaches an injury settlement with the team.

The Bears signed Tonges to a reserve/future contract Monday, Larry Mayer of the team's official site reports.

Tonges opened the regular season as one of two fullbacks on Chicago's active roster, and he appeared in three of the team's first four games before being waived heading into Week 10. He then signed with the team's practice squad shortly thereafter, and he was elevated for the Week 15 loss to Philadelphia. Tonges finished the 2022 season with one target while playing 16 of his 26 snaps on offense, so he'll likely compete for a similar depth/special-teams role during this offseason.

Tonges reverted to the Bears' practice squad Monday, per the NFL's transaction log.

Tonges was activated from the practice squad for the time this season Sunday against the Eagles, and he went on to log all seven of his snaps on special teams during this loss. The undrafted rookie spent the first nine weeks of the season on Chicago's active roster before being waived Nov. 10, and he has now recorded one target with zero catches across four games this season. Tonges will be eligible for two more elevations from the practice squad this season, so he'll likely continue to serve as the team's No. 3 tight end behind Cole Kmet and Ryan Griffin if Trevon Wesco (calf) remains out Week 16 versus Buffalo.

Chicago elevated Tonges from its practice squad to the active roster Saturday ahead of Sunday's game versus Philadelphia, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

Tonges appears to be in line to make his fourth appearance of the season in Week 15 with Trevon Wesco (calf) out. The rookie undrafted free agent has seen just one target through three games in 2022.

Chicago signed Tonges to its practice squad Saturday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.

Tonges appeared in three of the Bears' first four games of the season, but he failed to haul in his only target across 16 offensive snaps. The rookie wideout found himself a healthy scratch once Chicago's wideout room got healthy and was ultimately waived, but he's been brought back on practice-squad deal.

The Bears waived Tonges on Thursday, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Tonges was dropped by the Bears after being inactive since Week 8. The tight end will now go through waivers and if he's unclaimed he'll become a free agent. Tonges' absence shouldn't affect Chicago's offense going forward.

Tonges (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's matchup against the Cowboys.

Tonges appeared in three of the first four games of the season, but despite being healthy, he hasn't see the field since Week 4. His next chance to suit up will come Nov. 6 against the Dolphins.

Tonges was targeted once in the Bears' 23-20 win over the Texans on Sunday.

With Ryan Griffin (Achilles) missing the matchup against Houston, Tonges had an increased role in the offense, but it didn't translate into any fantasy points. He'll likely retain a minor role in the offense if Griffin misses additional time.

Tonges is one of two fullbacks on the Bears' 53-man roster,

Tonges projects to be the second-string fullback behind Khari Blasingame. He'll likely be used primarily as a blocker when the Bears use heavy personnel sets. It would seem improbable for him to handle as many as 15 carries on the season.

Tonges caught a two-yard touchdown on his only target in the Bears' 27-11 preseason win over the Seahawks' on Thursday.

Tonges was used in the Bears' goal-line package with the second-string offense. He broke free at the goal line to catch the scoring pass from Trevor Siemian. He's competing for a roster spot, as it seems unlikely he'll move past Ryan Griffin and James O'Shaughnessy on the depth chart for the No. 3 tight end role.