The San Francisco 49ers had just one training camp practice before the injuries started piling up.
Seriously, it's impossible to make this stuff up, especially in light of the slew of injury setbacks head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad dealt with last season.
Speaking of Shanahan, he remains somewhat involved after suffering serious injuries in a car crash earlier, but his prognosis remains positive. However, several players were claimed by the opening round of practices outside Levi's Stadium.
49ers already shorthanded after 1st round of camp injuries
As shared by NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco, four notable Niners players were banged up in Sunday's opening camp session:
- WR Christian Kirk (calf)
- OT Vederian Lowe (ankle)
- DT Gracen Halton (knee)
- DL Andrew Farmer (back)
These 49ers will not practice after sustaining injuries on Day 1:
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) July 27, 2026
OT Vederian Lowe (high ankle). He will miss extended time.
WR Christian Kirk (calf strain)
DT Gracen Halton (knee bone bruise)
DL Andrew Farmer (back)
Maiocco added Lowe's ankle injury was of the high-ankle variety, which will take some "extended time" to heal.
On Monday, Maiocco reported how rookie defensive end Romello Height went down with an injury on day two of practices and had to be carted off the field, further adding to the bad news from Sunday.
Subsequent reports revealed Halton was dealing with cramps, so at least that's a positive.
Dissecting 49ers' 1st wave of injuries
Losing Halton, one of San Francisco's higher-drafted rookies, is a potentially significant blow. He's expected to occupy a significant role for a revamped defense this season, and one can only hope his return is sooner than later.
Lowe, meanwhile, was a prime candidate to secure the 49ers' chief swing-tackle role this season, supporting both Trent Williams and Colton McKivitz. But the former's injury opens up the door for either Brett Toth or the rookie, Enrique Cruz Jr., to have a better shot at the reserve job.
Kirk's absence could mean greater looks for the Niners' top pick from last year's draft, De'Zhaun Stribling, who'd otherwise start off the year as the likely No. 4 option on the depth chart.
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