Jake Tonges' Fourth-Quarter Grab Lifts 49ers to 17-13 Win Over Seahawks
Backup tight end makes game-winning touchdown after George Kittle exits with hamstring injury; Nick Bosa forces decisive strip-sack at Lumen Field.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers backup tight end Jake Tonges made a leaping, back-corner touchdown catch in the fourth quarter to give the 49ers a 17-13 season-opening victory over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sept. 7, 2025.
Facing third-and-3 from the Seahawks' 4-yard line with the 49ers trailing, quarterback Brock Purdy rolled right and lofted a pass into the back corner of the end zone. With Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen draped on him, Tonges stepped in front of Woolen, rose and secured the catch for the go-ahead score — his third reception of the game and the decisive play in a tight NFC West matchup.
George Kittle had caught San Francisco’s first touchdown of the season but exited early with a hamstring injury, forcing Tonges — who has appeared in just 20 NFL games since entering the league in 2022 with the Chicago Bears — into a prominent role. Kittle was on the sideline celebrating his teammate’s pivotal grab.
The 49ers’ victory was sealed moments earlier when edge rusher Nick Bosa strip-sacked Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold as Seattle was driving at the San Francisco 9-yard line with 42 seconds remaining. The turnover ended Seattle’s final threat and preserved the 49ers’ lead.
Purdy finished 26 of 35 for 277 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Running back Christian McCaffrey, whose availability had been questioned entering the season, carried 22 times for 69 yards and caught nine passes for 73 yards. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall led the 49ers in receiving with 108 yards on four catches, including a 45-yard reception from Purdy.
Seattle’s Darnold completed 16 of 23 passes for 150 yards. Rookie or new-look targets showed promise: Jaxson Smith-Njigba caught nine passes for 124 yards on 13 targets, and Zach Charbonnet scored Seattle’s only touchdown. The Seahawks otherwise struggled to convert in the red zone late in the game.
The win gives San Francisco a road victory to open the regular season and highlights the depth at the tight end position after Kittle’s early exit. Tonges’ catch underscored the 49ers’ ability to rely on role players in critical moments.
The Seahawks departed with questions about finishing drives despite a clear connection between Darnold and Smith-Njigba. Seattle’s offense amassed yards and targets but could not produce enough points in the game’s final minutes.
San Francisco will assess Kittle’s hamstring injury in the coming days while preparing for its next matchup. Seattle will return home to evaluate its red-zone execution and how to better protect the quarterback late in close games.