In the high-stakes world of the NFL, where injuries can flip the script overnight, two young tight ends are suddenly finding themselves in the spotlight. Jake Tonges, the 26-year-old San Francisco 49ers backup, has stepped up amid George Kittle's hamstring woes. Tonges, who grew up just an hour from Levi's Stadium in Los Gatos, California, grabbed headlines with a standout Week 4 performance—three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. It's his best game yet, and now, with Kittle sidelined for at least four more weeks, Tonges could see even more targets on Thursday Night Football against the rival Los Angeles Rams.
Indeed, Tonges' journey hasn't been straightforward. Undrafted out of Cal in 2022, he bounced from the Bears' practice squad to the 49ers, where he's mostly been a blocking specialist. But this season, with the 49ers' receiving corps banged up—missing key players like Deebo Samuel—Tonges has shown flashes of receiving prowess. His first NFL touchdown came in Week 1, a gritty grab that hinted at untapped potential. Still, questions linger about whether he can sustain this against a stout Rams defense.
Across the field, Davis Allen brings his own brand of promise to the mix. The 24-year-old Rams tight end, a fifth-round pick from Clemson in 2023, has quietly built a role in Los Angeles. Allen, who racked up 39 catches for 443 yards and five scores in his senior year at Clemson, has appeared in 33 games over two seasons, logging 19 receptions for 158 yards and three touchdowns. He's versatile, too—handling blocking duties while contributing on special teams. However, with Tyler Higbee still recovering from last year's knee injury, Allen's opportunities have expanded, making him a sneaky option in this divisional clash.
Moreover, fantasy analysts are buzzing about both as sleeper picks for the game. Tonges edges out in recent hype, thanks to his local roots and timely breakout, but Allen's college pedigree suggests he won't back down. The 49ers-Rams matchup, always a grinder, could turn on these under-the-radar tight ends stepping up when stars falter. As the league evolves, with athletic TEs like these blurring lines between blocker and weapon, one wonders how far Tonges and Allen can carry their teams in the stretch run.