The San Francisco 49ers managed to improve to 2-0 with a 26-21 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday despite missing quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle. Unfortunately, they lost yet another key offensive player to injury in that game.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk left the contest late in the first quarter due to a concussion and didn’t return to the field. Now the 49ers have to be worried about his status moving forward, as well as those of Purdy and Kittle.
Juszczyk’s wife, Kristin, gave an encouraging update on the nine-time Pro Bowler’s health on social media.
“Kyle’s doing okay you guys, thank you for everyone who’s [asked],” she wrote, adding a heart emoji.
Read more: 49ers’ Kyle Shanahan Drops Surprise Brock Purdy Update After Saints Win
Juszczyk is arguably the best fullback in the NFL during an era where not too many teams utilize a fullback on a regular basis. But the Niners often use 21 personnel (two men in the backfield and one tight end), and for them, that setup consists of Juszczyk and either Christian McCaffrey, Brian Robinson Jr. or perhaps Isaac Guerendo as running backs.
Juszczyk can also line up as a slot receiver or a wide receiver at the end of the formation. He’s the classic Swiss Army knife role player who does whatever is asked of him to help his team win, and you can never have too many such players.
Last season, Juszczyk, who is in his 13th NFL season, had 200 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns on 19 catches while adding 26 yards and one touchdown on five carries. He has three catches and 37 receiving yards so far this season.
Purdy missed Week 2 due to a toe injury, and QB2 Mac Jones filled in ably by completing 26 of 39 pass attempts and throwing for 279 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. It was initially thought that Purdy would miss multiple weeks, but there is apparently a chance he will return to action this coming Sunday versus the Arizona Cardinals.
Read more: Eagles’ Jalen Hurts Savagely Trolls Chiefs’ Chris Jones Following Win
Kittle, meanwhile, left San Francisco’s Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks due to a hamstring ailment. He was placed on injured reserve, which means the earliest he could return is in Week 6 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The team is also without wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who is still recovering from the torn ACL and MCL he suffered last October.
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