San Francisco 49ers defensive end Javon Hargrave faces an uphill battle as he will likely need season-ending surgery after partially tearing his right triceps, coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Monday.
Hargrave suffered this unfortunate injury during San Francisco’s hard-fought 27-24 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.
"It’s a big loss," Shanahan noted. "I think he played his best game Sunday. He truly was a significant factor, really impacting the quarterback. He’s one of our best players, and was definitely trending towards having a great year."
Although there is a faint glimmer of hope that Hargrave could return, it wouldn’t be until after the playoffs.
The 31-year-old Hargrave has already proven to be a formidable presence, recording one sack and seven tackles in just three games (all starts) for the 49ers this season.
Meanwhile, Niners quarterback Brock Purdy has been grappling with back pain, although an MRI revealed no serious concerns. Shanahan assured that the 24-year-old is in better shape.
In the opening three games of the season, Purdy has been a reliable and effective playmaker, completing 72.6 percent of his passes (69-of-95) for 842 yards and four touchdowns with a single interception.
Adding to San Francisco’s challenges, their star running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to take a single snap this season. Shanahan shared that McCaffrey traveled to Germany over the weekend to consult a specialist as he continues to combat nagging Achilles tendinitis.
The 49ers, currently at 1-2, are set to clash with the New England Patriots on Sunday in Santa Clara, Calif.
