Kittle has ‘no idea’ why he wasn’t targeted more in 49ers loss

Kittle has ‘no idea’ why he wasn’t targeted more in 49ers’ loss originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Quarterback Brock Purdy wasted no time getting the ball into the hands of 49ers tight end George Kittle on Sunday.

On the 49ers’ first offensive play of the game, Purdy delivered a pass to Kittle who gained 7 yards.

And that accounted for the entirety of the offensive production from Kittle, the five-time Pro Bowl player who entered the game as the 49ers’ leading receiver.

And Kittle was as perplexed as anyone.

Kittle said he had “no idea” why he was targeted twice and had only one catch during the 49ers’ 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in snowy Highmark stadium.

“I don’t have an explanation,” Kittle said. “I think I ran six more routes the rest of the day.”

Kittle was used more as a blocker in the 49ers running game.

He said the Bills weren’t doing anything to take him out of the game with their coverages.

“I felt open many times,” Kittle said.

Purdy completed 11 of 18 pass attempts for 94 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions.

“I thought we put together some good plays,” Purdy said. “It’s tough with the conditions. We were running the ball so well, and when we had opportunities to throw the ball, the reads just weren’t getting me to George.

“That’s kind of how it happened. Obviously we would like to give George the ball as many times as possible, and it’s a shame we didn’t do that.

Deebo Samuel caught a team-high four passes for just 20 yards. Jauan Jennings had a team-high 56 yards on three receptions.

Jennings and Kittle are now tied for the team lead with 50 catches in the 2024 NFL season. Jennings has 684 receiving yards, while Kittle has 649 receiving yards and a team-high eight touchdowns.

Kittle said he still has confidence in the coaching staff and his teammates to finish the season on a good note. The 49ers have lost two straight games in blowout fashion and are 5-7 this season.

“Football is tough, man. Things happen,” Kittle said. “Either you’re going to beat yourself into oblivion and you’re just going to give up, or you’re going to keep swinging and fighting every day that you have.”

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