San Francisco 49ers third-string tight end Jake Tanges Had no catch and was only focused once during the first 20 games – and three years – of his NFL career.
Nevertheless, when starter George Kittle went down with a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Tonges was ready.
Tanges, who grew up on a short drive of the Stadium of Levi as a resident of Los Gatos, caught three passes, including one by one by a Touchdown with 1:34 left in the fourth quarter, to help the 49ers meeting for a 17-13 season opening over the Seahawks on Lumen Fielden.
“I am pretty excited,” Tanges said after the game the 49ers radio network. “Really a dream come out there.”
With the 49 people opposite a third and 3 of the 4-Yard line of Seattle, Quarterback Brock Purdy left back to pass and had enough time to look at his left-wing two turnover he clambed to the right.
Purdy then hit the ball to the corner of the end zone, where the 6-foot-4 tanges reached over Seahawks Cornerback RIQ Woolen, who got a hand on the ball and caught for the first touchdown of his NFL career.
What was almost Purdy’s third interception of the day changed in an unforgettable moment for the former two-sports star at Los Gatos High.
“I had a corner curl and slid out of my break, and then the scramble exercise was on,” Tonges said. “We just always try to stay in the limits and stay alive, and Brock gave me a chance there, and I did the best I could.”
Looking from the sidelines in a red 49ers hoodie, Kittle flashed a huge smile when thousands of fans of the team started celebrating in the often anesthetic stadium.
San Francisco 49ers Tight End of Jake Tanges (88) is celebrating with a tight end Luke Farrell, Center, after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football match against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 7 September 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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San Francisco 49ers Tight End of Jake Tanges (88) is celebrating with a tight end Luke Farrell, Center, after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football match against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday 7 September 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Tonges later told reporters that he asked Purdy: “If he threw it outside the borders and he said:” No, I just tried to give you a chance. “We didn’t want to kick a field goal. We didn’t want to go to overtime.
Kittle caught a TouchDown-Pass of five meters from Purdy Halfway through the first quarter to give the 49 people a 7-0 lead and had four catches for 25 meters before he left the field with his injury. Niners coach Kyle Shanahan had no update about Kittle’s health after the game.
As a backup of the career, Tanges knows that he should stay ready for such moments, and he ended the game with three catches for 15 Yards.
“I just thought of how many games I prepared and didn’t really get the chance,” Tonges said. “I know a bit that this is my role when George goes down. So I always pay extra attention to third things, to many of the pass things. Just stayed in and be consistent, because you really never know when you could get a chance.”
Tanges, 26, graduated in 2017 at the Los Gatos High School and caught four touchdowns in CAL from 2018 to 2021 in four years. He went unprecedented but played four games with the Chicago Bears in 2022, and played 34 snaps on attack while he was not focused with a pass.
Tanges was abandoned by De Beren in August 2023, but was signed a few weeks later by the 49 people of their practice team. Last season, Tanges played in all 16 games for the 49 people, but was mainly used in special teams.
The 49ers signed him again in April and are happy that they did that.
“It just comes down to opportunities, and in games, you get the right look to get the ball and everything,” said Purdy. “So last year he was a consistent man and the camp last year. George goes down today, and then, boom, (Tanges is) ready for his chance. We all love Jake. He is a smart boy, and we all love him, and he is a brother for us.”
“He is also a man who is made of the right stuff,” said 49 people who run back Christian McCaffrey. “Practice very difficult, attention to detail is great, willing to block, does all the little things well. Pumps for him.”
It is a time that Tanges will remember forever. After all, he never experienced anything like that in the NFL.
“It’s pretty great,” Tanges said about the moment. “Growing up 20 minutes from Levi’s, it’s just your dream come true. Wouldn’t want to play for someone else. I love these guys. I love this dressing room and just want to keep rolling.”
Originally published:
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