The San Francisco 49ers started their season on a high note with a road win over the Detroit Lions.
However, the injury woes that plagued the team last season are still lingering in 2021.
Two seasons ago, the Niners lost in Super Bowl LIV to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the defeat, they had high hopes coming into 2020 with practically the same roster.
However, injuries to their key players made them limp to a 6-10 record, which was last in the highly competitive NFC West.
Updated #49ers injury list.
You could field an entire team with this list.
22 players currently out, likely 24 by end of day.
Another 8 players have missed time due to injury. pic.twitter.com/hYfmqUYYha
— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) November 2, 2020
Jimmy Garoppolo had a high ankle sprain, while George Kittle had a fractured foot.
The woes didn’t end there as Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk, Tevin Coleman, and Tavon Austin all skipped games due to injuries.
Their defense got the injury bug as Nick Bosa, Dee Ford, and Richard Sherman were just some of the players who could not suit up.
They started the season at 4-3 before the injuries began to pile up.
By November, up to 24 players could not suit up for the 49ers, causing them to lose seven of their next nine games.
The new season should bring renewed optimism that they can return to the big game.
Unfortunately, the same tragic story is starting to take shape.
Before Week 1, wide receiver Jalen Hurd was already out due to a knee injury, while defensive lineman Kevin Givens was questionable.
#49ers WR Jalen Hurd (knee) is a candidate for IR, per Kyle Shanahan. pic.twitter.com/mba7Tnz1xU
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers_) September 8, 2021
Knee injuries to defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and cornerback Emmanuel Moseley made them doubtful against Detroit.
Givens did play and had one assist tackle to his credit.
However, Mostert left the game early in the first quarter due to a knee injury and only had two carries for 20 yards.
Eli Mitchell took over and finished with 19 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown.
More Injury Struggles For San Francisco
Mitchell will be the Niners’ featured back for a while because Mostert will miss eight weeks.
Meanwhile, linebacker Dre Greenlaw also left the game due to a groin injury and did not return.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles took over Greenlaw in the Lions game, but it’s not sure if the latter will miss some games.
49ers LB Dre Greenlaw picks off Jared Goff and runs it back for 6 💨
(via @NFLBrasil)
pic.twitter.com/OY6zo67Ps8— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 12, 2021
Worse, starting cornerback Jason Verrett suffered a season-ending ACL tear late in the third quarter.
Rookie Deommodore Lenoir replaced Verrett and may share the field with Moseley if he returns in Week 2 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
But Moseley’s return is not yet guaranteed, which will give an opening to either Dontae Johnson or Josh Norman.
There’s also talk of bringing back Sherman to replace Verrett, but that’s more fiction than reality as of the moment.
Prayers up to Jason Verrett, this is brutal to watch 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/McvIcPHumF
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers_) September 12, 2021
It can be argued that Verrett’s exit allowed Jared Goff and the Lions offense to carve out two touchdowns that trimmed the Niners’ advantage from 41-17 to 41-33.
Without a solid replacement, Jalen Hurts and the Eagles can dominate the Niners secondary like what they did to the Atlanta Falcons.
Philadelphia won, 32-6, with Hurts throwing for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
Therefore, the 49ers must devise a strategy to neutralize DeVonta Smith and Jalen Reagor without Verrett.
Otherwise, the Eagles will be in for a big day even if they’re playing on the road.
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