5 hard lessons 49ers must accept after Week 4 loss to Seahawks

No. 4: 49ers injury bug won’t go away… at all

One of the key reasons, or two, why San Francisco isn’t going to be a Super Bowl contender this year is because of season-ending injuries to running back Raheem Mostert and cornerback Jason Verrett, who were both considered vital cogs in the team’s plans this year.

There have been other key injuries, too, but Week 4’s loss seemed to highlight all the troubles the 49ers haven’t been able to shake.

For years now.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a calf injury on the opening possession of the game. And while he gutted it out until halftime, eventually giving way to rookie quarterback Trey Lance, Garoppolo was clearly upset with the latest in what’s been a long line of injuries suffered, telling reporters the following after the game:

"It sucked. I mean, just in between series, I could feel it tightening up in everything. Thought I could get it out. I tried to for the first half, but it’s just tough, man. I don’t know. I’ve been in the situation too many times and it’s getting real old. So, it’s just one of those things, but a part of the business, though."

The Niners missed Robbie Gould, of course. Yet there might be even more concern with left tackle Trent Williams suffering a shoulder injury, and he had to exit the game on a cart and was also emotional during his exit.

After a disastrous run of injuries in 2020 when San Francisco had more players land on injured reserve than any other team in the NFL, this year isn’t shaping up to be much more generous.