To make matters worse, defensive tackle Javon Hargrave suffered a partial triceps tear in the 49ers’ devastating 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday and will likely miss the remainder of the 2024 NFL season, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on a conference call Monday.
“It’s a big (loss) and I thought he played his best game yesterday,” Shanahan said. “I thought he was a big factor. He really impacted the quarterback in that game and it’s a big loss and he’s one of our better players. He was definitely on the right track and would have had a great year.”
Shanahan also told reporters that quarterback Brock Purdy has been dealing with daily back pain, while linebacker Dee Winters has aggravated an ankle injury.
Purdy underwent an MRI of his back and Shanahan said the results were “good.”
As for Hargrave, his injury is a major blow for the 49ers. The veteran lineman recorded his first sack of the season in the loss to the Rams, along with three total tackles, including one for a loss.
Shanahan talked about where the 49ers are going after losing one of their most valuable defensive players.
“We’re still working on that,” Shanahan told reporters. “We have a couple of guys on the practice squad that we’re most likely going to use. We have a couple of outside hitters that are good inside tackles, as far as passing and stuff like that. But we’re always going to look at what’s available out there. But usually you go to your practice squad. And I hope Kalia Davis comes back soon, that would help. Not this week, I think, but hopefully soon.”
Davis is currently on the injured list after undergoing surgery in August when the team discovered an injury behind his kneecap following the season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
The 49ers currently have four defensive linemen on their practice squad: Evan Anderson, Alex Barrett, TY McGill and Sam Okuayinonu.
Okuayinonu was promoted from the practice squad for the Rams game and recorded one sack.
Although Hargrave is expected to be out for an extended period of time, Shanahan did not rule out a return if the 49ers make it deep into the playoffs.
“I think so, but whether you have a partial tear or a tear, we recommend surgery. If you do have surgery, it’s usually a couple of months at least,” Shanahan said. “If there was a chance, it would have to be toward the end of the playoffs.”
The 49ers entered the season expecting to be playing until early February, but with injuries mounting, that goal is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve.
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