We’ve completed one week of San Francisco 49ers training camp. And we have some injury news to report including a season-ending injury.
After what seemed like the longest summer in history, we’re finally talking about real news from 49ers training camp. Unfortunately, it’s injury news but it’s still something to discuss.
Immediately to start the 2020 season, wide receiver Jalen Hurd tore his ACL and is now out for the year.
An extremely disappointing event for the youngster who already missed his rookie year with a back injury.
#49ers WR Jalen Hurd fell awkwardly on the side field while running route and was down for a few minutes. He just walked back to the locker room gingerly roughly an hour into practice. Waiting for update from team later.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) August 16, 2020
The 49ers already signed receivers like Tavon Austin to help with depth but just recently signed former Seattle Seahawks pass-catcher Jaron Brown.
With Hurd done for the year, it opens up a spot for the likes of Dante Pettis. He’s had himself a decent training camp with Niners reporters saying they’re impressed with his performance so far. Pettis snowballed down the depth chart last year but now has a chance to re-up his career with a strong training camp.
In the middle of the O-line, the 49ers are facing some injury problems. Center Weston Richburg is on the physically unable-to-perform (PUP) list, which means the team feels he won’t be ready until at least seven games into the year.
Center Ben Garland injured himself during Tuesday’s practice.
#49ers C Ben Garland sustained an ankle injury today in practice. His status is uncertain at this stage, pending further observation.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 18, 2020
Offensive lineman Dan Brunskill has been receiving reps at the center but if the team is looking for free agents to sign for the position, don’t bet on Brunskill taking over full time.
It wasn’t good news for receiver/kick return Richie James. James broke his hand in an offseason workout and has been placed on the non-football injury list.
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback K’Wuan Williams is out for a bit with a Grade 1 calf strain. Williams isn’t expected to miss the start of the season, however, he could be out the next two or three weeks.
With veteran cornerback Richard Sherman a lock on one side of the field, it’s a free game for anyone else on the opposite side. Emmanuel Mosley, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Jason Verrett are all fighting for the starting job.
Ideally, Mosley steps up and takes over. Witherspoon fell off after coming back from injury last season and might be liability again.
Defensive lineman D.J. Jones sustained a shoulder injury in practice on Thursday. His status is still unknown. Fellow lineman Julian Taylor is also injured and will begin the season on the PUP.
It seems like head coach Kyle Shanahan has his hands full once again with injuries, but the 49ers still won the NFC last year with key players missing time. We’ll just have to wait until the first game of the year to see how everything truly shakes down.