Kittle has “no idea” why he wasn’t targeted more in the 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 that gained him seven yards.

And that was the entire offensive performance of Kittle, the five-time Pro Bowl player who entered the game as the 49ers’ top receiver.

And Kittle was just as perplexed as everyone else.

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

“I have no 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 it wasn’t anything the Bills did to take him out of the game with their coverages.

“I felt open several times,” Kittle said.

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

“I thought we came up with some good plays,” Purdy said. “The conditions are difficult. We ran the ball so well, and when we had the opportunity to throw the ball, the reads just weren’t getting me to George.

“That’s how it went. Of course we would like to get the ball to George as often 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 faith in the coaching staff and his teammates to finish the season on a high note. The 49ers have lost two straight games in disastrous fashion and are 5-7 on the season.

“Football is hard, man. Things happen,” Kittle said. “Either you let it sink you into oblivion and just give up, or you keep swinging and fighting every single day you have.”

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