San Francisco bolsters its depth by signing veteran blocker Jack Stoll after a devastating knee injury sidelined Jake Tonges, providing crucial stability for Kyle Shanahan’s depleted offense.
The San Francisco 49ers’ Week 1 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne came with a steep cost on the injury front. In addition to rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling’s 10-week ankle surgery, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that tight end Jake Tonges suffered a severe MCL injury that required knee surgery, ending his 2026 season.
With Tonges out for the year and George Kittle still working his way back from an Achilles recovery, San Francisco's front office scrambled quickly to shore up tight end depth ahead of their Week 2 home opener against the Miami Dolphins.
The Workout Circuit: 5 Players Try Out in Santa Clara
Looking to fill the void, the 49ers brought in five free agents for workouts, including three tight ends and a pair of veteran defensive tackles following an injury to DT Alfred Collins.
Tight Ends Evaluated:
- Jack Stoll (6’4”, 247 lbs): The most experienced blocking option of the group. Stoll logged 32 career starts between the Philadelphia Eagles (2021–2024) and New Orleans Saints, where he started four games last season and caught six passes for 46 yards.
- Tanner Conner (6’3”, 232 lbs): The 2022 undrafted free agent spent his rookie contract with the Miami Dolphins, coming off a 2025 campaign where he logged nine receptions for 91 yards.
- Lawrence Cager (6’5”, 220 lbs): A converted wide receiver with stints on the Jets and Giants. Cager hasn't suited up for a regular season game since 2022, when he caught 13 passes for 118 yards.
Defensive Tackles Evaluated:
- Larry Ogunjobi (6’3”, 305 lbs): A 32 veteran with extensive starting experience across the NFL, most recently recording five tackles for loss with the Buffalo Bills in 2025.
- Daniel Ekuale (6’3”, 300 lbs): A seven year veteran who started 16 games for the New England Patriots in 2024 before spending 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Choice: 49ers Add Veteran TE Jack Stoll
As expected given his size and starting experience, Jack Stoll won out. The 49ers officially signed the 28-year-old tight end to their practice squad, providing an immediate veteran insurance policy who can be elevated on gamedays.
Stoll’s calling card is his run blocking capability, making him a seamless operational fit for Kyle Shanahan’s heavy two tight end sets (12 personnel). While George Kittle remains the undisputed focal point of the position group, bringing in a reliable, 32 game starter like Stoll stabilizes the depth chart while Tonges begins his long road to recovery.
