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49ers $15.75 million TE showing out in 2nd training camp with SF
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- 49ers $15.75 million TE showing out in 2nd training camp with SF
George Kittle 's Achilles injury in last year's playoffs and his subsequent absence in this year's training camp has put something of a spotlight on the San Francisco 49ers tight end depth chart. Veteran Luke Farrell has answered the call in his second camp with the team.
Kittle pointed out Farrell's strong camp while speaking with reporters in a press conference and noted how a second year in head coach Kyle Shanahan's offense is helping the 28-year-old take a step forward after an up-and-down first year with San Francisco . Shanahan after Tuesday's practice was alerted to Kittle's assessment and concurred.
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"I would totally agree," Shanahan said. "I think he's definitely a lot more confident just knowing what he's doing. I think when you go through a whole year, you know how to prepare for it, to me, a different way. I think he came in in OTAs prepared at a different level, and it's carried right over to training camp, and I think he's having a hell of a camp."
Last season Farrell was a more consistent second TE, but it was Jake Tonges who stepped into a bigger role while Kittle was out early in the season with a hamstring injury. Farrell wound up playing 404 snaps compared to 399 for his fellow backup TE.
However, Farrell posted 11 catches for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 14 targets while Tonges racked up 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns on 46 targets.
It's unlikely Farrell will ever be a high-end pass catcher which will ultimately limit his role with the 49ers. In an NFL where multiple TE sets are starting to become more prevalent, the better Farrell is the better the 49ers offense is capable of being regardless of what his primary role is.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers $15.75 million TE showing out in 2nd training camp with SF
