In the high-stakes world of NFL offenses, where star quarterbacks often hog the headlines, backup tight ends like Jake Tonges and Davis Allen are quietly carving out their niches. Tonges, the 26-year-old San Francisco 49ers player from nearby Los Gatos, California, has suddenly become a focal point with George Kittle sidelined by injury. Last week, in Week 4 against the Cardinals, Tonges hauled in three catches for 58 yards and a touchdown—his best game yet. It's the kind of breakout that makes you wonder if the undrafted free agent, who bounced around practice squads since 2022, finally found his footing in a system that demands versatility.
Over on the Los Angeles Rams side, Davis Allen isn't far behind in the sleeper conversation. The fifth-round pick out of Clemson in 2023 has appeared in 33 games, logging 19 receptions for 158 yards and three scores. At 24, Allen's physical blocking and reliable hands have earned him starts, though his role remains secondary to the Rams' passing attack. But with injuries plaguing wide receivers league-wide, these tight ends are stepping up, almost by necessity. Indeed, their paths cross dramatically in Thursday Night Football's divisional clash, where both teams desperately need every edge.
However, it's Tonges' local roots that add a layer of intrigue—he grew up just an hour from Levi's Stadium, turning boyhood dreams into professional reality. Allen, hailing from Georgia, brings a different grit, his college stats at Clemson boasting 88 catches and 12 touchdowns over four years. Yet, in a league where tight ends often fade into the background, both players' recent surges highlight a subtle shift: offenses leaning harder on these hybrid athletes for yards after catch and red-zone threats. Still, consistency eludes them; Tonges' shoulder tweak in Week 4 raised eyebrows, while Allen's production has been sporadic.
Moreover, as the 49ers and Rams navigate their injury-riddled rosters, Tonges and Allen embody the unpredictability of the position. One solid game doesn't guarantee stardom, but it does force coordinators to rethink play-calling. And in this NFC West rivalry, every yard counts toward playoff hopes.
What does this mean for the tight end carousel in the coming weeks?