Jeff Hanisch-Imagn images

Brandon Allen didn’t do enough to be among the rare bright spots in the 49ers’ devastating 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but head coach Kyle Shanahan and tight end George Kittle found plenty of positives in the game. veteran quarterback. performance to give him some words of encouragement after the match.

Allen, making his first start as a member of the 49ers while Brock Purdy sat out with a shoulder injury, finished with 199 yards, one touchdown, one interception and two fumbles on 17-of-29 passing. Allen has been with the 49ers since signing with them before the 2023 season, but Sunday marked his first start since his time with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. The loss dropped the 32-year-old Allen to 2-8 as an NFL starter.

“We were all embarrassed, so no one played that great,” Shanahan said. “But I thought he did some good things.”

The 49ers offense was non-existent early on as the Packers built a 17-0 lead in the first half, but Allen was able to guide the 49ers on a scoring drive late in the half that cut the lead to 17-7 at halftime . . There was one more scoring drive for the 49ers in the third quarter that ended in a field goal, but Allen also had two costly turnovers in the second half with his interception and a lost fumble on a strip sack, both of which resulted in Packers touchdowns. .

“I thought he made some big throws,” Shanahan said. “Just the plays I can think of, he had a tough one early on that he threw to them, but they dropped it. Two plays he just slipped on that field that hurt us. But I thought Brandon had a made some big throws and stuff and gave us a chance.”

Allen’s lone touchdown came to Kittle, who was among the bright spots for the 49ers on Sunday with six catches for 82 yards. More than one of those catches were highlights, including the touchdown, which came on a leaping catch, and a grab in the third quarter, where he made a grab mid-spin to put the 49ers in position to get their field goal.

Kittle had nothing but positive things to say about Allen after the game.

“I thought Brandon was great,” Kittle said. “He was good in the huddle. He spoke loud and clear, which is really nice for us. And he made some really good passes.”

About his spinning catch, Kittle said, “That’s something we almost never practice… When he sees you one-on-one, he just gives you a chance, and I really respect that about him. I certainly didn’t see it. The Back shoulder ball wasn’t something he practiced anyway, but he gave me a shot at it, which was nice.

Purdy may be back on the field next week when the 49ers travel to Buffalo to play the Bills on Sunday Night Football. If he isn’t, Allen might get the nod again. Regardless, the 49ers will need a much better all-around effort on both sides of the ball to have a chance in that game, but Kittle would at least remain confident with Allen under center one more time.

“I thought he played really well,” Kittle said. “And I think our running game has to be better so that we can help him a little bit. And again, we had so many penalties all over the field, which is just very difficult to win football games like that.”