49ers TE Jordan Matthews done for season after tearing ACL

49ers tight end Jordan Matthews might have had a shot at making the 53-man roster in 2022, but a torn ACL in training camp dashes all those hopes.

On the surface, it wouldn’t seem as if San Francisco 49ers tight end Jordan Matthews would have much of a shot of making the team’s 53-man roster in 2022.

Matthews, the former wide receiver who converted to a new position a year ago, had all the intangibles of a quality wideout but would understandably lack the experience and prowess of a tight end’s blocking duties, especially on the inside.

And behind someone like All-Pro George Kittle, it was going to be tough for Matthews to assert himself on the depth chart.

Yet the Niners have seemingly liked Matthews over the last few years, him essentially being the offense’s version of cornerback Dontae Johnson, whom San Francisco regularly signs and then cuts before signing again.

Back on a one-year deal for 2022, Matthews was showing some positive signs of making the regular-season squad.

Until Wednesday’s training camp practice.

Jordan Matthews suffers ACL tear during 49ers training camp

Shortly after the 49ers concluded Wednesday’s practice outside Levi’s Stadium, NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan reported Matthews could be seen walking on crutches.

Never a good sign for any player, particularly one on the fringes of the roster.

Not long thereafter, the San Jose Mercury News‘ Cam Inman backed up the concerns by reporting Matthews had indeed suffered a torn ACL during practice on Monday:

Absolutely a tough break for the 30-year-old veteran who once had 997 receiving yards back with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015.

Earlier in training camp, the Niners lost defensive tackle Maurice Hurst to a torn biceps, which is also expected to be of the season-ending variety. And while neither Hurst nor Matthews was expected to be pivotal players for San Francisco this season, losing both is never an easy situation to absorb.

One can only hope Matthews is able to return fully healthy and continue his NFL career.