Nobody Expected This, but a 49ers Rookie Just Pulled Off a First Catch That Left Everyone Stunned.QQ
Sunday Night Football saw one 49ers player record a surprising statistic.
The San Francisco 49ers’ first-half performance on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons contained more than a few surprises.
The defense, despite the loss of All-World linebacker Fred Warner, held water, with Tatum Bethune and Dee Winters both impressing. The run game appeared to rejuvenate itself when needed, and Mac Jones continued his career renaissance.
The biggest surprise, though, came on what could end up being a key play at the end of the half.
Facing 3rd-and-6 from the Atlanta 36-yard line, Mac Jones appeared to fumble when attempting to pass, and the ball was recovered by rookie offensive lineman Connor Colby. At the time, that was just a play that averted a disaster, preventing a vital turnover with time still left on the clock for a potential Falcons drive.
However, upon review, Colby was awarded the rarest of statistics for an offensive lineman: a catch.
The replay determined that Jones’ arm had gone forward while attempting to throw the ball, making the ball live, and following a carom off a Falcons defensive lineman, Colby was able to catch the ball and even advanced it a yard.
That essentially became a 7-yard swing, as a mere fumble recovery would’ve been a 6-yard loss. It doesn’t sound like much, but it turned kicker Eddy Piniero’s field-goal attempt from an unlikely 62-yarder (in all likelihood, head coach Kyle Shanahan would’ve punted) to a 55-yarder, which was child’s play for the red-hot kicker.
That put the scoreline to 10-3 at the time, and, coupled with Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s intentional grounding penalty in the waning seconds of the first half, put the 49ers in position to take a commanding lead in their huge Sunday night matchup.
Colby, therefore, enters the history books. It’s certainly unusual to see an offensive lineman catch a pass, unless of course, you’re former Niners tackle Joe Staley under then-head coach Jim Harbaugh.
The craziest stat, though, might be this one: at halftime, Colby has more receptions than all-star tight end George Kittle.
The 49ers crazy rollercoaster 2025 continues.
