How Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges helped mitigate 49ers' losses of Kittle, Juszczyk

"The 49ers signed Luke Farrell to a three-year, $15.75 contract to complement George Kittle, a franchise icon and probably the best two-way (receiving, blocking) tight end in the NFL. Also in the mix is Jake Tonges, the Los Gatos High and Cal product who looked to be a fringe player who had a 50-50 shot at making the 53-man roster."

"Kittle left with a hamstring strain early in Seattle, was placed on injured reserve and will miss at a minimum three more games including Sunday's home opener against the Arizona Cardinals (1:25 p.m., Fox). If that wasn't enough, fullback Kyle Juszczyk was done after 10 plays with a concussion in a 26-21 win over New Orleans in Week 2. When it happens, it's like, OK, it's just us now, Farrell said."

"That meant tight ends mostly Tonges had to take Juszczyk's position in the backfield in formations that called for a fullback. We think about situations like that in the week leading up to the game, Tonges said Wednesday. What if something were to happen? My role is to fill in for whoever is going down so I've always paid a lot of attention to the fullback stuff."

"If Juszczyk, in his 13th season, doesn't clear concussion protocol, it will be Farrell and Tonges again, this time with a side of Brayden Willis, who was promoted Wednesday from the practice squad. Given that Kittle and Juszczyk are the only two 49ers who have been with the team throughout the tenure of coach Kyle Shanahan starting in 2017, it's far from ideal in an NFC West game between two teams with 2-0 records."

The 49ers have a wide personnel gap at tight end with established stars, journeymen and rookies occupying different roles. The team signed Luke Farrell to a three-year, $15.75 contract to complement George Kittle. Jake Tonges remains a depth option after arriving from Los Gatos High and Cal. Kittle suffered a hamstring strain, was placed on injured reserve and will miss at least three more games. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk left Week 2 with a concussion, prompting tight ends to assume fullback responsibilities in certain formations. Brayden Willis was promoted from the practice squad to bolster depth.

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