The San Francisco 49ers’ path to defending their NFC Championship just got a whole lot bumpier.
Week 2 in the NFL was all about the injuries to big-name players, and perhaps no team was hit harder by the dreaded injury big than the 49ers.
San Francisco’s pass rushers Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas both tore their left ACL’s during the Niners’ 31-13 victory over the New York Jets on Sunday. Both players are out for the remainder of the 2020 season.
In 2019, Bosa and Thomas both combined for 11 sacks as San Francisco made a somewhat surprising run to the Super Bowl.
The 49ers will now have to rely on rookie defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw and veteran Arik Armstead, who had 10 sacks last season.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan also announced on Tuesday that quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is considered day-to-day with a high ankle sprain. Shanahan added that Garoppolo’s injury isn’t considered to be severe.
If Garoppolo can’t go this week against the Giants, Nick Mullens will get the start.
Both top running backs for the 49ers will likely miss Sunday’s game as well, with Tevin Coleman out with a sprained knee, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Raheem Mostert suffered a MCL sprain against the Jets and will also miss time.
Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson Jr. will likely serve as the one-two punch this week in Shanahan’s zone blocking offensive scheme.
San Francisco will continue to evaluate the status of dynamic tight end George Kittle after the All-Pro suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee in Week 1. Schefter is reporting that the belief around the organization is that Kittle could return to this week against the Giants.
The 49ers will also follow the progress of cornerback Jason Verrett, who is battling a hamstring injury.
Lastly, the Niners are also waiting for the return of All-Pro cornerback Richard Sherman, who is battling a calf injury and could return off IR as soon as Week 5.
The one silver lining for the 49ers is their incredible depth is being put on full display. Give credit to Shanahan and GM John Lynch for consistently adding depth to this team.
More from The Woody Paige Sports Network:
- Woody Paige: 19-0 for the Broncos in 2020? Not without Von Miller
- Target these NFL regular season win totals with confidence in 2020
- The best dressed player from each team in the NBA bubble
- ‘Most losses in 2020’ prop bet offers NFL bettors huge value
- Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton suffers season-ending ACL injury
- Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey out 4-6 weeks with high ankle sprain
- Broncos QB Drew Lock out 3-5 weeks with right shoulder injury
