The San Francisco 49ers are dealing with a staggering number of injuries early in training camp, with as many as 20 players missing practice at one point in Santa Clara. 

The 49ers’ injury woes compound an already difficult situation surrounding head coach Kyle Shanahan’s ongoing recovery from a car accident, raising serious questions about whether this perennial NFC contender can remain competitive in 2026.

For anyone who has followed the NFL over the last few years, this should not be a foreign subject. The 49ers have been as snakebitten as any team when it comes to injuries. But this year, the volume is approaching a comical level. The sheer number of players dealing with issues this early in camp is almost unreasonable.

Four players currently sit on the physically unable to perform list. Tight end George Kittle is working back from his Achilles injury sustained last season. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams is recovering from a knee injury, and running back Isaac Guerendo remains out with a pec issue. Wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is already done for the 2026 season due to his PCL injury.

But the PUP list only scratches the surface. 

Star pass rusher Nick Bosa has missed time. Wide receiver Mike Evans, wide receiver Christian Kirk, running back Jordan James, offensive lineman Vedderian Lowe, safety Malik Mustapha, fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Jacob Cowing, Keion White, defensive end Cameron Sample, Brett Toth, Carver Willis, and wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling have all been absent from practice at various points.

The names on that list matter. 

Evans is a critical addition for San Francisco’s offense, and he’s aging. Guerendo is the primary backup behind running back Christian McCaffrey, who historically has had a difficult time staying healthy himself. Stribling was the 33rd overall pick. These are not back-end-of-the-roster players. They are key contributors for a team hoping to contend in 2026.

Shanahan’s recovery adds another layer of uncertainty

On top of the player injuries, Shanahan is still recovering from a car accident that went unreported for nearly two full weeks. 

The 49ers’ coach has spoken publicly about a severe concussion he endured, explaining that making decisions, dealing with loud noises, and handling stress are among the hardest things in his life right now. Those three demands happen to define the entire job of an NFL head coach.

Shanahan is widely regarded as arguably the best offensive play-caller in football, a reputation confirmed by the defensive coordinators who game-plan against him. But he cannot perform that role right now. He is the galvanizing force that has held this franchise together through close to a decade of injury misfortune and roster turnover. 

Without him operating at full capacity, the 49ers lose the one element that has consistently elevated them above their circumstances.

Where do the 49ers land in the NFC West?

A to Z Sports analyst Easton Freeze carries a lot of skepticism about this 49ers team. He debated us on 13 Personnel this week. 

“As long as McCaffrey and quarterback Brock Purdy remain healthy, San Francisco won’t bottom out entirely,” Freeze explained. “Those two players give the 49ers a competitive floor. But in the NFC West, a competitive floor might only get you third place.

“The Rams and Seahawks appear to be clearly ahead, and a significant gap likely separates those two clubs from the 49ers. San Francisco will probably steal a game or two from its division rivals and remain competitive on a week-to-week basis, but the ceiling looks far lower than it has in recent Shanahan-era seasons.

“The best-case scenario might be sneaking into the playoffs as a slightly above-.500 team if the rest of the NFC falls apart. Even that outcome feels like a stretch to bet on today. When Deebo Samuel is the healthiest notable player on your roster in 2026, the situation speaks for itself.

“The 49ers under Shanahan, with McCaffrey, Purdy, and the rest of the core, have been perennial Super Bowl contenders. They have been there. They have done it. This is not a normal year. 

“The very best outcome is a soft playoff bid, and even that feels unlikely. San Francisco is not a contender in 2026, even though this is still technically a Kyle Shanahan team.”