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49ers Injuries Continue to Mount as Training Camp Rolls On
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- 49ers Injuries Continue to Mount as Training Camp Rolls On
Photo by: Sergio Estrada
The San Francisco 49ers are hoping their growing list of training camp injuries is nothing more than a temporary setback, but the number of players missing practice continues to be a concern as the regular season gets closer.
The latest names to miss practice are two of the biggest stars on the roster. Running back Christian McCaffrey sat out Monday's practice because of tightness, while defensive end Nick Bosa missed his fourth consecutive full practice while dealing with soreness. The team has indicated that both situations are being managed cautiously.
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McCaffrey's absence is particularly noteworthy given his importance to San Francisco 's offense. The veteran running back is expected to be a major part of the 49ers' attack again this season, but the coaching staff has emphasized managing his workload during camp. With several other running backs also sidelined, players such as Sincere McCormick , Patrick Taylor Jr. and Khalil Herbert have received additional opportunities.
Bosa's situation is also being watched closely. The star pass rusher is coming off a torn ACL suffered last season and has been working his way back onto the field. Although he has participated in individual drills, the soreness has kept him out of four straight full practices. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has remained confident in Bosa's progress, but the team clearly does not want to rush its defensive centerpiece back onto the field.
The injuries go beyond those two stars.
Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is among the biggest concerns after suffering a knee injury that required surgery and is expected to keep him out for the season. Pearsall was expected to play an important role in San Francisco's receiving corps, making his loss particularly significant for an offense that is trying to remain among the league's best.
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Several other players have also missed time during camp, creating a steady stream of lineup changes and forcing younger players to take additional reps.
Shanahan has tried to put the situation into perspective, saying the overall injury count feels relatively normal for training camp aside from a few more significant cases. The 49ers have also experimented with shorter practice periods and lower-impact sessions in an effort to keep players healthy.
Still, the timing is not ideal.
San Francisco is preparing for its preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans , with a joint practice scheduled before Thursday's game. That gives players an important opportunity to compete for roster spots and establish themselves on the depth chart, but the 49ers also have to balance getting players ready with avoiding unnecessary injuries.
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The good news is that not every absence appears to be considered serious. Some players have already returned to practice, and the coaching staff remains optimistic that several veterans will be available when the games begin to count.
For now, though, the 49ers are facing an all too-familiar problem.
After dealing with significant injuries in recent seasons, San Francisco is once again watching several important players miss valuable practice time before the season has even begun.
The hope around the organization is that the current wave of injuries peaks during training camp and does not carry into the regular season.
With the preseason approaching and expectations high in the Bay Area, the 49ers need their stars healthy and they need them soon.
