49ers position grades, analysis from sloppy Week 7 loss vs. Colts

49ers Tight Ends: D

San Francisco sorely misses All-Pro tight end George Kittle. Not just as a legitimate receiving threat and someone who can generate yards after the catch.

But also for his elite-level blocking.

True, second-year pro Charlie Woerner is a good run blocker, which is how he cut his teeth at the collegiate level. And Woerner, whose route-running skills are still noticeably bad, even managed to get on the stat sheet with two catches for 30 yards.

Perhaps that’s a small endorsement for Woerner. Unfortunately, the 49ers needed a lot more from someone else within this unit, especially with Kittle out.

Normally, those duties would fall upon No. 2 tight end Ross Dwelley, who has adequately filled in for Kittle before. Yet Dwelley was targeted only twice during the game, catching just one of those passes for 5 yards.

Nothing else. A disappointing night from this shorthanded unit, which directly impacted the next group.