INJURY UPDATE: San Francisco 49ers Defensive Tackle Faces Season-Ending Setback
The 49ers’ defense has suffered a significant setback. Head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that Javon Hargrave partially tore his tricep during the team’s 27-24 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. During a conference call, Shanahan discussed the injury with the media.
When asked about the impact of Hargrave’s injury, Shanahan stated, “It’s a big loss. I thought he had his best game yesterday and was a major factor, really affecting the quarterback. He’s one of our top players and was set for a big year.”
In terms of compensating for Hargrave’s absence, Shanahan mentioned, “We’re still figuring that out. We have some practice squad players we might promote and some good outside rushers who can help in passing situations. We’ll also keep an eye on available options. We hope to have [DL] Kalia Davis back soon, but probably not this week.”
When questioned about the possibility of Hargrave returning for the playoffs, Shanahan responded, “I believe so. However, whether it’s a partial tear or a full tear, we’re recommending surgery, which typically takes a few months for recovery. If there’s a chance for a return, it would likely be late in the playoffs.”
My Perspective: It’s likely that Hargrave has played his final game for the 49ers, considering his cap hit of $28.1 million next season. Releasing him after June 1 could free up over $20 million in cap space, meaning the 49ers would have paid him more than $24 million for 22 games, 9 sacks, and 61 tackles—an underwhelming performance.
