NFL Player News

Tonges signed a reserve/future contract with the 49ers on Tuesday.

Tonges spent last season on San Francisco's practice squad and is now set to return to the team. The 24-year-old hasn't appeared in a regular-season game since 2022.

Woerner finished the 2023 regular season with three receptions on as many targets for 32 yards in 17 games as a backup for the 49ers.

Woerner spent the majority of his season either sitting behind starter George Kittle or helping pave ways for San Francisco's rushing attack in heavy packages. The Georgia product's three receptions actually marked an improvement over the zero he tallied over 17 games in 2022. After playing out all four years of his rookie contract, Woerner will now become an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his professional career.

Kittle caught two of three targets for four yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

Kittle was dealing with a minor toe injury early in the practice week carrying over from the win over the Lions in the divisional round, but he was able to start and see the field for most of the Super Bowl. That's where the positive news ends for the star tight end, who didn't record his first reception until San Francisco needed a fourth-down conversion late in the game. Underutilization has been a theme with Kittle at times, as his role will fluctuate despite his skill level remaining elite. That said, the 30-year-old produced his first 1,000-yard campaign since 2019 as the 49ers offense hit a crescendo in 2023 under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle may be frustrating to roster when his hands are tied in low-usage games like Sunday's, but he remains a top option at a shallow fantasy position heading into next season.

Kelce recorded nine receptions (on 10 targets) for 93 yards in Sunday's 25-22 overtime victory over the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

Kelce was held nearly silent in the first half, as he had only one catch on one target for one yard. However, he came alive in the final two quarters to help the Chiefs to a comeback Super Bowl victory. His biggest play of the game came on the final drive of regulation, when he shook free of Fred Werner and picked up 22 yards to give Harrison Butker a short field-goal attempt to tie the game. Kelce had a relatively underwhelming regular season, but he posted no fewer than 70 receiving yards in each of Kansas City's four postseason games while also tallying three touchdowns in the same span.

Kittle (toe) practiced fully Friday and doesn't have an injury designation for Super Bowl LVIII versus the Chiefs on Sunday.

Kittle didn't manage any on-field work during the first week of preparation for the Super Bowl due to a toe injury that he suffered in the NFC Championship Game. The tight end followed it up with back-to-back capped sessions to kick off this week before having no restrictions Friday. Kittle thus is set to serve as one of the key playmakers in the 49ers offense for quarterback Brock Purdy on Sunday alongside running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk.

Higgins gathered in 14 of 19 targets for 163 yards and one touchdown in 11 regular-season games in 2023.

A sixth-round pick of the Dolphins in April, Higgins transitioned from oversized wide receiver to undersized tight end in the move to the pros. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder didn't survive cut-down day in Miami in late August and subsequently was claimed off waivers by Arizona. He eventually became a regular in the Cardinals offense after veteran Zach Ertz went down with a quad strain Week 7 and even recorded at least one catch in each of the team's final seven contests. That said, Higgins played second fiddle by a large margin to 2022 second-round pick Trey McBride, a role that likely will continue for him next season barring further additions at the position.

Sample played in all 17 games for the Bengals in 2023, recording 22 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

The tight end finished the season second on the depth chart behind Tanner Hudson. Sample will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Cincinnati does not yet have any tight ends under contract for 2024.

Hudson finished with 39 catches for 352 yards and one touchdown in 12 games for the Bengals in 2023.

All those numbers were career highs as Hudson finished the season as Cincinnati's top tight end. The fifth-year pro will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason. The Bengals do not yet have any tight ends under contract for 2024.

Hendershot (ankle) had surgery after the Cowboys' season ended, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

The depth tight end should be available once the team's offseason program begins in the spring, per Archer. Hendershot caught four passes for 38 yards and no touchdowns in eight games this season.

Coach Kyle Shanahan said Kittle (toe) was limited in practice Thursday, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

When speaking to the media Wednesday, Shanahan relayed to David Lombardi of The Athletic that he was hopeful Kittle would log a full session one day later. However, Kittle continues to have practice restrictions due to the toe injury he sustained in the NFC Championship Game against the Lions. Shanahan also noted Thursday that Kittle is "good to go" ahead of Super Bowl LVIII versus the Chiefs on Sunday, but it remains to be seen if the tight end avoids a designation when the 49ers post their final injury report of the week Friday.