Tag: injuries

49ers include power plant in evaluating injury issues

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t leaving any stone unturned as they search for a solution to their injury issues.

That includes investigating a conspiracy theory linking a nearby electrical substation to the rash of ailments.

General manager John Lynch confirmed at Wednesday’s end-of-season press conference that the power plant’s potential influence will be investigated.

“Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything,” Lynch said. “We’ve been reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means? That’s what we know exists. We’ve heard that debunked.

“… The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority. We pore into it. Our ownership, Jed (York) is tremendous in terms of resources, and we’ll always be cognizant of things. I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility since it opened, but yeah, we aren’t going to turn a blind eye.”

The 49ers have trained in Santa Clara, Calif., since the late 1980s. A nearby substation operated by Silicon Valley Power was expanded when Levi’s Stadium — the site of next month’s Super Bowl LX — opened in 2014, according to ESPN.

A viral theory making the rounds on the internet suggests that San Francisco’s injuries could at least partly be related to excessive exposure to EMFs, or electromotive forces, from the power station.

As Lynch mentioned, the theory has been shot down by many doctors and scientists.

The theory has gained traction inside the locker room, however, with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne referencing it after star tight end George Kittle’s recent Achilles injury. The 49ers also lost defensive stars Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (broken) ankle to season-ending injuries this season, while quarterback Brock Purdy missed half the season with a toe injury.

A total of 20 players spent time on an injured reserve list this season for the 49ers, accounting for more than $95 million in adjusted annual value on their contracts, according to the OverTheCap.

“The fact of the matter is injuries are a part of this game,” Lynch said. “What we strive to do is never to eliminate injuries, but to mitigate injuries. And I think we have a lot of good processes. We’ll challenge them all. And that process has begun. It never frankly stopped. But yes, we’ll look at everything, and we’ll examine everything.”

–Field Level Media

Bills S Jordan Poyer, CB Maxwell Hairston out vs. Broncos

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Buffalo Bills have ruled out safety Jordan Poyer and rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston for Saturday’s AFC divisional playoff game at Denver.

Head coach Sean McDermott confirmed Thursday that Poyer (hamstring) and Hairston (ankle) will not be available against the top-seeded Broncos.

Poyer, 34, recorded one interception and 70 tackles in 10 games (nine starts) during the regular season. The former All-Pro selection is a 13-year veteran with 12 career postseason starts.

Hairston, 22, was Buffalo’s first-round pick (30th overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft. He had two interceptions and 18 tackles in 11 games (three starts) in the regular season but did not play in last Sunday’s 27-24 wild-card victory at Jacksonville.

Several other players are question marks for the banged-up Bills, including running back Ty Johnson (ankle), who also missed the win against the Jaguars.

Defensive tackle Ed Oliver (biceps), linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf), safety Damar Hamlin (pectoral) and wide receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow) also are questionable. Oliver and Samuel returned form injured reserve this week.

–Field Level Media

Bears LB T.J. Edwards, LT Ozzy Trapilo out for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Chicago Bears won a wild-card thriller over rival Green Bay on Saturday night but lost two starters to season-ending injuries.

Linebacker T.J. Edwards was carted off in the second quarter of the 31-27 victory with a fractured left fibula, and rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo sustained a torn patellar tendon late in the fourth quarter.

Bears coach Ben Johnson confirmed after the game that both players will miss the rest of the season. The Bears will host a divisional playoff game next weekend against an opponent still to be determined.

Edwards sustained the injury after awkwardly stepping on the foot of a Green Bay player. Trapilo’s injury came on the first play after the two-minute warning.

Edwards, 29, recorded 67 tackles and one interception (returned for a touchdown) in 10 regular-season starts.

Trapilo, 24, a second-round pick out of Boston College, played in 14 games with six starts during the regular season.

–Field Level Media

49ers LG Ben Bartch (foot) likely done for season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers left guard Ben Bartch is headed to injured reserve with a sprained foot and likely done for the season, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed.

Bartch was injured Sunday at Cleveland as the 49ers (9-4) earned their third straight win with a 26-8 victory against the Browns.

Also hurt in the game were rookie linebacker Nick Martin (concussion) and perennial Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk (fractured rib), Shanahan said Monday.

San Francisco has a bye this week before playing three of its last four games at home. The 49ers are a half-game behind the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West.

Bartch, 27, played in six games (two starts) this season. He missed seven games earlier this season on injured reserve with a high ankle sprain.

Juszczyk, 34, caught two passes for 27 yards against the Browns. He has 184 yards from scrimmage and one score in 13 games (all starts) this season, his 13th in the NFL.

Martin, 23, was a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State. He has played in seven games and recorded 11 tackles and one forced fumble.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) looks on from the sidelines during the third quarter against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Jets rule out CB Sauce Gardner and WR Garrett Wilson

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The New York Jets ruled out cornerback Sauce Gardner and wide receiver Garrett Wilson for Sunday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Head coach Aaron Glenn provided the updates Friday, adding that quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee) is questionable but trending in the right direction.

Glenn has still not announced whether Taylor or Justin Fields will be under center for the winless Jets (0-7) against the host Bengals (3-4).

Gardner (concussion) and Wilson (knee), arguably New York’s best players on each side of the ball, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Gardner was hurt in last week’s 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers, while Wilson sustained his injury in the Week 6 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Gardner, 25, has 20 tackles and six passes defensed in seven starts this season. The two-time All-Pro has started 55 of a possible 58 games since being drafted with the No. 4 overall pick in 2022.

Wilson, 25, leads the Jets in targets (56), receptions (36), receiving yards (395) and touchdown catches (four) in six starts. Before sitting out last weekend, he had played in all 57 games since being drafted 10th overall in 2022.

Gardner and Wilson were the NFL’s Defensive and Offensive Rookies of the Year, respectively, in 2022.

Taylor, 36, replaced an ineffective Fields in the second half of last Sunday’s loss to the Panthers. He has completed 43 of 69 passes for 379 yards with three TDs and three interceptions in three games (one start) this season.

Fields, 26, has completed 86 of 135 passes for 845 yards with four touchdowns and no picks in six starts this year. He has been held under 50 yards in each of the past two games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions safety Brian Branch (32) celebrates after intercepting a pass from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (not pictured) in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Dan Campbell, Lions set sights on Bucs, ‘move forward’ with Branch banned

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dan Campbell sported a black tee shirt with the Lions logo and the word “SALTY” scripted across the chest, appropriate attire for the fiery head coach replying to questions about playing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week without suspended safety Brian Branch.

“My job is to move forward here. I know this: We don’t have him. We don’t have him,” Campbell said of the plan as the Lions welcome Baker Mayfield and the Bucs on Monday night. “So I can worry about that or I can worry about what we do have and how we adjust. We’ll find out on Kerby (Joseph). … We can play one safety and play four linebackers for all I care. We’ll figure it out. We’ll have a plan ready and we’ll be ready to play Tampa Bay.”

Branch was fined for the 11th time in two seasons and serves a one-game suspension this week for igniting a postgame fracas as the Lions’ loss in Kansas City went final. He threw an open-handed punch at Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, claiming he was provoked by an uncalled illegal block in the back.

Campbell said the Lions are “going to be looking pretty good at the end of November” as injured players get healthy. Cornerback Terrion Arnold and pass rusher Marcus Davenport are among the defensive players the Lions aren’t counting on for contributions until after their bye in Week 8.

Joseph attempted to play through a nagging knee injury at Kansas City last week, prompting Campbell to reassess his status with the potential to rest him until November. After the game against Tampa Bay this week, the Lions host the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 2

“How much worse are you making this injury?” Campbell said of his thought process with Joseph playing this week. “The production is not there. We’ll reassess here. We saw the game the other day. He tried to gut through it. Played most of the game. It wasn’t his best performance. But he’d tell you that, too. He was giving us what he had.”

A dinged-up secondary hit at a bad time, helping bring out a vintage Patrick Mahomes performance last week with the NFC South-leading Buccaneers up next. Campbell said he has nothing but respect for Mayfield.

Branch intercepted Mayfield — who had one touchdown pass and was sacked five times — in the Week 2 meeting between the NFC contenders in 2024. Tampa Bay won 20-16, dealing Detroit one of its two regular-season losses.

“The way he plays, his leadership. His ability to push the ball down the field, make plays with his legs. I just think he’s playing at a high level,” Campbell said. “He’s a guy that gives them a chance any time he’s in the game.”

Mayfield has only one interception and is tied for third in the NFL with 12 touchdown passes this season. The Buccaneers are not healthy at several skill positions, which could soften the blow for the back end of the Lions’ defense.

Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (hamstring) left the Week 6 win and Mike Evans (hamstring) and Chris Godwin (leg) were already out. Running back Bucky Irving hasn’t played since Sept. 28.

The Lions sacked Mayfield four times and intercepted him twice in the 2023 postseason meeting, but he completed 26 of 41 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) catches a pass during a game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Colts WR Alec Pierce, CB Kenny Moore II held out of practice

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Starting wideout Alec Pierce and starting cornerback Kenny Moore II did not participate in practice for the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday.

Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that Pierce has a concussion and updated Moore’s injury from a calf issue to an Achilles problem. Injured reserve is not being considered right now for either player, Steichen said.

Both players were hurt in Sunday’s 41-20 win at Tennessee. Pierce caught four passes for 67 yards and Moore recorded two tackles and a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown.

The Colts (3-0) will look to continue their strong start on the road Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams (2-1).

If Pierce can’t go, Adonai Mitchell and Ashton Dulin could see more snaps. Moore’s backup is Mekhi Blackmon.

Pierce, 25, has nine catches for 171 yards and no touchdowns in three games this season. He has 119 catches for 2,102 yards and 11 TDs in 52 games (44 starts) since the Colts drafted him in the second round in 2022.

Moore, 30, has 10 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a pick-six this season. He has 21 interceptions — four returned for TDs — along with 11 sacks and 604 tackles in 121 games (106 starts) since signing with Indianapolis as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He made the Pro Bowl in 2021.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Fran Brown on the sideline against the Tennessee Volunteers in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

ACC fines Syracuse $25K for ‘feigning injuries’ in upset of Clemson

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Syracuse was fined $25,000 by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday for “feigning injuries” during Saturday’s win at Clemson.

Syracuse (3-1, 1-0 ACC) pulled off a 34-21 upset to drop the Tigers to 1-3 for the first time since 2004. Clemson is 0-2 in conference play.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik referenced his suspicion in the postgame press conference that the Orange were intentionally slowing down the Tigers’ hurry-up offense by pretending to be hurt to stop the clock and disrupt any potential momentum for a rally.

“That’s up to them if they want to be honest about that,” Klubnik said.

The ACC concurred with Klubnik’s assessment.

“With 9:25 remaining in the fourth quarter, Syracuse violated NCAA Football Rule 3-3-6-b, which addresses the feigning of injuries by players, declaring it ‘unethical and contrary to the spirit of the rules,’” the ACC said in a statement Monday. “The actions by the two players — especially with the concurrent action by the coach in the team area — were a clear attempt to gain an unmerited advantage by stopping the game in order to secure an injury timeout.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) reacts following a failed third down play against the Seattle Seahawks during the fourth quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

49ers downgrade Brock Purdy, Jauan Jennings to out vs. Cardinals

Posted on | by Field Level Media

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Jauan Jennings have been downgraded from questionable to out and will not play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Both teams enter the NFC West game in Santa Clara, Calif., at 2-0.

Purdy came away from the season-opening win against the Seattle Seahawks with toe and left shoulder injuries, his toe being the bigger concern. He sat out Week 2 while backup Mac Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions to guide the Niners to a 26-21 victory at New Orleans.

San Francisco coach Kyle Shanahan said earlier in the week that he did not expect Purdy to play but left the door ajar. As a precaution, the team activated quarterback Adrian Martinez from the practice squad on Saturday.

Jennings had been questionable due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Against the Saints, he caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown.

–Field Level Media

May 9, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor (46) participates in a drill during the minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images

Jets rookie TE Mason Taylor out with high-ankle sprain

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor is out for at least a week with a high-ankle sprain, head coach Aaron Glenn confirmed Tuesday.

Taylor, 21, was drafted in the second round (42nd overall) out of LSU, where he caught 55 passes for 546 yards and two touchdowns in 2024.

Taylor’s father is Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor and his uncle is Hall of Fame linebacker Zach Thomas. He has been competing with Jeremy Ruckert for the starting job in training camp.

Glenn also provided injury updates for defensive tackle Byron Cowart (ankle), edge rusher Will McDonald (back spasms) and backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor (knee).

Cowart and McDonald both left Tuesday’s practice session, the former on a cart. Tyrod Taylor has missed practice but Glenn said the injury isn’t believed to be serious.

The Jets open the preseason on Saturday at Green Bay. They kick off the regular season at home against Pittsburgh on Sept. 7.

–Field Level Media