49ers mailbag: Can Kittle pass up playing against his childhood Bears?

SANTA CLARA — Season’s greetings and thank you for the 49ers social-media queries that filled this Week 17 mailbag:

Should the 49ers try to get Gronk out of retirement if Kittle can’t go Sunday night or the following week? (@SFG_soccer)

Don’t disrespect Jake Tonges like that. Did you not see his touchdown catch last game? Eh, neither did Kyle Shanahan, who didn’t have time to challenge a call that could have given Tonges his fourth TD, and it was moot once Christian McCaffrey scored on the next quick-snap play.

Tonges can catch, but no one in the NFL can replicate Kittle’s all-around ability, including as a run blocker and hype man (pregame, during the game, after the game). Kittle did not practice on Wednesday but has a chance to play Sunday night, and I’d be surprised if he skips this one against the Bears, his childhood team.

If Saleh leaves for a head coach job, will the 49ers receive draft picks again? (@matty__maff)

No. Draft-pick compensation is rewarded for candidates who’ve been employed a minimum of two years “with no break in employment between teams.” Robert Saleh, after four years abroad, indeed has been uplifting and inspiring in his second stint as defensive coordinator. He’ll make a great head coach, if it’s an opposite situation than what he had with the New York Jets, where ownership and quarterback issues plagued him. no break in employment between teams.

Who will be the X-factor in the 49ers’ march toward the Super Bowl? (@quytennis)

Thomas Morstead. (Joking: Niners haven’t punted since Nov. 30.) For their defense’s sake, it ought be a pass rusher who comes alive. Bryce Huff, Keion White, Clelin Ferrell, Sam Okuayinonu and Yetur Gross-Matos all are hunting for their first playoff sack.

Are there any mercenary DEs out there the Niners would consider calling for the playoff run? (@borkerchorker)

Nah, although Justin Smith, 46, is only two years older than Philip Rivers. I’d be more curious if they try poaching a defensive end off another’s practice squad.

If Purdy gets injured, can Mac Jones take us to the Super Bowl? Who will be 3rd emergency quarterback down the Niners during the playoffs? (@quytennis)

Brock Purdy is peaking, having preyed on bad defenses (and avoided Myles Garrett) to rev the 49ers into Super Bowl form. The defenses will get tougher. Jones already has been a fill-in savior (5-3 record), so he could thrive again, but Purdy has an extra dynamic and veteran feel of this scheme. Aidan Martinez is back on the practice squad as QB3, barring a surprise activation of Kurtis Rourke, whose three-week practice window closes Sunday.

Who are your unsung 49ers heroes on offense, defense, and special teams this year? (@michael_budd)

Offensively, rather than crown Mac Jones for keeping the ship alive, I’m going with the steady and overlooked crew across the offensive line. Defensively, cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has just five pass breakups but he’s made every start, played over 98 percent of the snaps and has two interceptions to share the team lead with Ji’Ayir Brown. Special teams, it’s Eddy “The Hero” Piñeiro.