Injuries are starting to hit rosters as NFL teams complete their first preseason game and the San Francisco 49ers added another key name to their list of hurt players in August. The 49ers ended the 2023 season with many players dealing with injuries, and they could start the season with a brittle roster.
NFL teams are seeing serious injuries early in the preseason
The 49ers’ competition in last year’s playoffs has seen their fair share of injuries during training camp. The Detroit Lions have lost two players for the season and another who will miss most of the season. On Saturday night, the Kansas City Chiefs announced they’d be without Marquise Brown for several weeks after he suffered a sternoclavicular joint dislocation against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The 49ers already had an important player missing the preseason before the team played a game. Running back Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a calf strain, and he’s expected to miss the rest of the preseason.
Ambry Thomas suffered a fractured forearm
“Thomas sustained a fractured right forearm Saturday night in the 49ers’ 17-13 preseason loss to the Tennessee Titans, which places his tenure with the 49ers in serious doubt.
Coach Kyle Shanahan said the injury is expected to keep Thomas out of action for “some time.” Thomas was injured while attempting to make a tackle in the second quarter.”
Shanahan made it sound like the 49ers plan to keep Thomas on the roster. Since the 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Thomas has appeared in 42 games and started in 11. He appeared in 15 games and started in six for the 49ers last season.
The San Francisco 49ers could waive Thomas
However, Maiocco suggested the 49ers could choose to waive Thomas in training camp:
The 49ers must make a decision in the coming days whether to place Thomas on injured reserve or whether to waive him with an injury settlement. They likely will add another cornerback to fill a spot on the team’s 90-man roster.
Per Pro Football Focus, Thomas earned a 71.5 overall grade for his play last season. He recorded 37 tackles, one forced fumble, and one interception in the 482 defensive snaps he played last year.
Thomas isn’t a player the 49ers want to cut, as he provides the necessary depth for the secondary. But the 49ers also need a healthy secondary.
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