The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a thrilling 26-23 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams on “Thursday Night Football,” improving to 4-1 despite facing significant injuries all across their offense.
Quarterback Brock Purdy remained sidelined, and the team is still without All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who continues to rehab a knee injury from last year, as well as fellow receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, plus tight end George Kittle, who has been out since Week 1 with a hamstring injury.
Just a day after San Francisco’s thrilling overtime win, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a bleak update on Kittle.
While fans had hoped the star tight end could return in Week 6 after missing the last five games, Shanahan said playing next week is a “long shot.”
Week 7 is now likely the earliest he could return, as the 49ers are still waiting to take him off IR and open his 21-day practice window, meaning he could still be a few games away from getting back on the field.
That said, the 49ers have been getting solid production at the tight end position from Jake Tonges. Now in his third NFL season, Tonges is finally seeing a chance to solidify his role.
On Thursday night, he hauled in seven receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Of his 27 targets this season, he has caught 19 passes for 166 yards and three scores.
Meanwhile, Mac Jones started his third game of the season in relief of Purdy, completing 33 of 49 passes for 342 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading the receiving corps against the Rams was recently signed wideout Kendrick Bourne, who hauled in 10 receptions for 142 yards. He’s been one of the team’s top receivers with Aiyuk, Jennings, and Pearsall all battling injury.
The 49ers will travel to Tampa Bay for a Week 6 matchup against the Buccaneers, then return home for a Sunday night showdown with the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7.
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