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49ers’ Week 1 hero makes NFL history with game-winning TD catch
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- 49ers’ Week 1 hero makes NFL history with game-winning TD catch
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The post 49ers' Week 1 hero makes NFL history with game-winning TD catch appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Sometimes, it's the unlikeliest people who end up being the heroes. The San Francisco 49ers came into Week 1 of the NFL season already short-handed in the pass-catching department. Those injury struggles got worse when wide receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) and tight end George Kittle (hamstring) were ruled out due to injuries.
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In their absence, an unlikely hero emerged for the 49ers: third-string tight end Jake Tonges . Despite coming into the game with zero career receptions, the tight end caught three passes for a total of fifteen yards. It was his final catch of the game, though, that stood out.
With the 49ers down by three points, the offense needed a touchdown. With their depleted lineup, going into overtime would have been a death sentence for the team. Quarterback Brock Purdy threw a pass to Tonges in the end zone. Despite being deflected by Riq Woolen , Tonges came up with the ball, a touchdown that would end up becoming the game-winner.
In making that catch, Tonges etched himself into NFL history . The 49ers tight end ended up being the first NFL player post-merger to catch a touchdown pass within two minutes after having no catches the season prior.
"#49ers TE Jake Tonges is the first player since the 1970 merger to make a game-winning touchdown catch in the final two minutes of a season opening game when coming off a 0 reception season (or career in his case)," Nick Wagoner posted on X.
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An undrafted free agent from the 2022 draft class, Tonges is in his second year with the 49ers. Last season, the tight end saw burn in 16 games, but was never a starter. Instead, Tonges spent most of his time as a special teamer; he was in 55% of San Francisco 's special teams possessions.
With the 49ers all out of options against the Seahawks , they decided to roll with Tonges for the game. The move ended up paying dividends, as the tight end snagged two clutch catches, including the game-winner, to seal the win.
Should Kittle continue to miss more time , Tonges might get some more burn as a key part of the 49ers offense. He likely won't a long-term starter (San Francisco could end up trading for a tight end), but this game has shown that they have a reliable pass-catcher if things don't fall their way.
Related: 49ers' Nick Bosa sounds off on Robert Saleh – 'Like Kyle Shanahan on defense'
Related: 49ers rumors: Ian Rapoport 'not so sure' George Kittle injury is serious
