The San Francisco 49ers are grappling with an unprecedented wave of injuries as they head deeper into the preseason, forcing head coach Kyle Shanahan to manage a roster strained by setbacks. After missing several practice sessions due to general soreness, defensive end Nick Bosa has finally returned to the field, providing some relief amid the team’s daunting injury count of 27 players. This surge of injuries threatens to destabilize the 49ers ahead of the regular season, especially with Brock Purdy’s availability and long-term health now a critical concern.
Despite the high injury toll, Brock Purdy, the team’s highly paid quarterback following a historic $265 million contract extension, remains healthy for now and expected to start the preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on August 24. However, Shanahan’s carefully constructed depth chart is markedly thin, with key offensive linemen and defensive players sidelined, raising questions about the 49ers’ ability to protect Purdy and execute their game plan effectively.
San Francisco Faces 27 Players on Injury Report and Warmup Criticism
The 49ers have struggled through a harsh preseason plagued by injuries across nearly every position group, which has left fans and analysts concerned. Kyle Shanahan himself admitted the situation is
“something we’re thinking about a lot, and yeah, it’s a big deal,”
adding,
“And hopefully we can fix it.”
The team’s joint practice with the Denver Broncos on August 7 faced criticism after a viral image on social media showed the Broncos engaging in static stretching while the 49ers appeared to rely solely on dynamic warmups. This sparked theories that warmup routines could be contributing to the injury crisis.
Adding optimism to this bleak scenario, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner tweeted a list of players who have returned to practice, including Nick Bosa along with defensive end Sam Okuayinonu, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, cornerback Renardo Green, safety Jason Pinnock, and running back Isaac Guerendo. Despite their returns, the sheer volume of injuries continues to cast a long shadow over the team’s preparations.
#49ers players who have returned to practice today after various injuries: CB Renardo Green, S Jason Pinnock, RB Isaac Guerendo, DE Sam Okuayinonu, DT Jordan Elliott, DE Nick Bosa.— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) August 19, 2025
Pressures Mount as Brock Purdy Faces an Uncertain Preseason Role
With the team’s injury list growing, Shanahan’s primary focus remains protecting Brock Purdy, who is viewed as the franchise cornerstone after his lucrative contract extension. Purdy demonstrated his readiness with a commanding start in team drills, but Shanahan hinted that this preseason action might be limited.
“We’ll see how this week goes. We have a long week. I love that we got three practices in a row for ourselves. Then we’ll take a day off and get ready for the Chargers, but we’ll see how this week goes with Brock [Purdy] and with the rest of our starters. I would love the guys to play, but I just have to measure it out and see how this week goes,”
Shanahan said.
While Purdy is healthy, his protection looks compromised given the injuries to several key offensive linemen. Left tackle Trent Williams, aged 37, sat out 11-on-11 live reps due to age-related precautions, and his replacement Spencer Burford struggled during practice. Left guard Ben Bartch is sidelined with an elbow injury, leaving the offensive line vulnerable against aggressive defensive waves. Additionally, the loss of second-stringers in key positions further jeopardizes Purdy’s ability to operate without constant pressure.
Additional Key Players Sidelined Amid the Injury Surge
San Francisco’s injury issues extend well beyond the offensive line and defense’s edge rushers. Quarterback Mac Jones is listed as questionable with a knee sprain, which has already ruled him out of the preseason finale against the Chargers. Guard Domonick Punni is also listed with a suspected posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury from the game against the Raiders, sidelining him for several weeks. Defensive end Mykel Williams sustained a hyperextended knee in the joint practice with Denver, adding to the list of significant absences the 49ers must navigate during limited preseason preparation.
Coach Shanahan’s frequent injury updates to the media underscore the team’s health struggles, while the volume of sidelined players amplifies the challenge of preparing a cohesive unit. With key backups missing, the remaining healthy roster members face mounting pressure to fill gaps and protect starter Brock Purdy as the team looks to avoid a repeat of last year’s postseason collapse.
Balancing Player Safety and Competitive Preparation
Kyle Shanahan’s cautious approach toward Purdy’s role this preseason reflects a prioritization of long-term health over immediate game action. The quarterback’s valuable contract and key role in the 49ers’ offensive identity mean Shanahan is unlikely to risk unnecessary snaps during the preseason. The potential physical toll from playing through intense preseason contests could aggravate vulnerabilities within an already injury-depleted roster.
This cautious stance may frustrate fans eager to see Purdy perform fully in the lead-up to the regular season, but Shanahan’s priority is to shield his star players until the stakes rise. The team’s depleted roster depth makes any injury to Purdy or other key starters particularly dangerous for their prospects this year.
Looking Ahead: Can the 49ers Weather the Injury Storm?
The San Francisco 49ers face a daunting challenge as they grapple with extensive injuries during a critical preseason phase, threatening to undermine their competitiveness before the regular season kicks off. While the return of Nick Bosa and others offers some hope, the overall health picture remains worrisome, with several key contributors still sidelined and the quarterback’s safety a top concern.
How Shanahan manages Purdy’s workload and navigates this injury crisis will significantly influence the team’s trajectory in 2025. The fragile state of the roster emphasizes the importance of rest and recovery, with the team unlikely to prioritize preseason success over safeguarding its core players. If the injury tide does not recede, the 49ers may face an uphill battle in maintaining their status as Super Bowl contenders.