The San Francisco 49ers received yet another tough injury blow following their shocking 24-23 Week 5 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos will miss 4 to 8 weeks after undergoing knee surgery, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Gross-Matos, a six-year NFL veteran in his first season with the 49ers, played just 81 defensive snaps before suffering the injury in Week 4. He was placed on injured reserve before Week 5, ensuring a minimum four-week absence, but the full extent of his recovery wasn’t known until Monday.
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While losing a rotational defensive lineman may not seem catastrophic, the mounting injuries are becoming a serious concern for the 49ers, a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Other key injury issues loom large for San Francisco as they prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6. Notably, kicker Jake Moody sustained an ankle injury in Week 5, which contributed to the team’s second-half collapse after a 23-10 halftime lead.
On top of that, stars like tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner played through nagging injuries, while All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to make his 2024 season debut due to an Achilles injury. McCaffrey, who has been receiving treatment in Germany, remains without a set return date, and his absence has hindered the 49ers’ offensive explosiveness, despite a strong effort from backup Jordan Mason.
With the injuries piling up, the 49ers’ early-season struggles are casting doubt on their championship potential.
