Injuries at struggling position group give 49ers another potential challenge they don't need against Bills
The San Francisco 49ers' injury list is very long going into a key Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. While the main focus is understandably on the health of Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams, there is also reason for significant concern at a position group that struggled in last week's blowout loss […]
The San Francisco 49ers' injury list is very long going into a key Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. While the main focus is understandably on the health of Brock Purdy, Nick Bosa and Trent Williams, there is also reason for significant concern at a position group that struggled in last week's blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers.
San Francisco's interior offensive line was comfortably second best as the 49ers slumped to a 38-10 loss at Lambeau Field, and it emerged from the game with injuries at both guard spots.
Left guard Aaron Banks is in the concussion protocol while rookie right guard Dominick Puni, who endured his worst game of what has been an excellent maiden season in the pros, had an MRI on a shoulder injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed on Monday.
If neither is able to play in Buffalo, Spencer Burford would be the favorite to step in at right guard having played there for much of last season and the majority of his rookie season in 2022.
Ben Bartch replaced Banks late in the loss to Green Bay and would be expected to do so again against the Bills.
While having to use backups and deal with injury attrition comes with the territory of playing in the NFL, going into an extremely difficult road environment with two new guards would present a huge challenge at a position group where continuity is key.
With left tackle Williams' status still very much in doubt after he missed the Packers game with an ankle injury, and center Jake Brendel coming in for consistent criticism for a string of underwhelming performances, the scale of the task on the hands of whichever quarterback is under center on Sunday could be a massive against a defense that is seventh in DVOA on defense, per FTN Fantasy.
Banks at this stage would appear a long shot to emerge from the protocol and play in the primetime matchup. However, if the 49ers can get Purdy back at quarterback and get good news on the availability of Puni and Williams, then their attack would be in better shape to at least have a chance at keeping pace with a high-powered Bills team heavily favored to prevail.
49ers veteran hints his career might be coming to an end after disappointing injury update
He won’t play this season.
