

The San Francisco 49ers’ offense never found its rhythm in Sunday’s 26–15 loss to the Houston Texans, but Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades show a few bright spots, particularly among the tight end group. Despite inconsistency up front, several players stood out for their individual performances.
Though he saw limited action, Tonges made the most of his five offensive snaps. His blocking and effort in short-yardage situations earned him the highest offensive grade of the day for the Niners. Tonges also hauled in a touchdown on National Tight Ends Day, helping cap one of the few successful red zone drives for San Francisco.
The veteran left tackle remains the steady anchor of the 49ers’ offensive line. Williams was one of the few linemen to grade above 80, allowing minimal pressure despite constant pass-rush heat from the Texans’ front led by Will Anderson Jr. His consistency continues to be one of the defining strengths of this offense, even in defeat.
While the stat sheet didn’t favor him, Jones’ PFF grade reflects flashes of composure amid difficult circumstances. He showed poise in the second half, particularly on the touchdown drive before halftime. However an interception late in the game and a lack of run support kept him from fully capitalizing on momentum.
On a day when San Francisco's passing game struggled, Kittle provided the spark, again proving he can carry the offense when needed. His touchdown before halftime was one of the team’s few offensive highlights, and his blocking helped open lanes for Christian McCaffrey in limited opportunities.
Another member of the tight end group who made an impact in minimal snaps. Farrell’s blocking earned him strong grades, and the tight end trio as a whole provided some of the offense’s most consistent production.
Watkins struggled to get separation in his limited role and wasn’t able to make the most of his few opportunities. With the 49ers short-handed at receiver, the lack of contributions from depth options hurt.
Moore was targeted several times but failed to make an impact downfield. Drops and miscommunications plagued his limited appearances, contributing to stalled drives for San Francisco.
Inserted to help stabilize the interior, Zakelj had a tough time handling the Texans’ interior pressure. His struggles in both pass protection and run blocking contributed to the offense’s early stagnation.
Hennessy’s communication issues and difficulty with Houston’s stunts and twists were evident throughout the game. The 49ers’ interior line couldn’t establish any rhythm, and it showed in both the run game and pass protection.
Normally a reliable Swiss Army knife for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, Juszczyk wasn’t able to make much of an impact. His blocking was serviceable, but the Texans’ defense consistently disrupted the backfield before plays could develop.
The grades tell a story. When the 49ers’ offense flows through their tight ends, left tackle, and Christian McCaffrey it works. But protection breakdowns and a lack of rhythm among the skill positions continue to limit this group’s ceiling. The tight ends might have led the way statistically, but until the offensive line regains its cohesion, San Francisco’s offensive identity will remain out of sync.