UPDATE: The San Francisco 49ers are facing a significant setback as edge rusher Bryce Huff is expected to miss at least two weeks due to a hamstring strain. This injury was confirmed shortly after their 20-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on October 29, 2023.
Huff, who played 45 snaps against Atlanta—his highest for the season—reported discomfort at the end of the game. Coach Kyle Shanahan disclosed that Huff felt the strain during the final two plays, raising alarms for a team already struggling with a depleted pass rush.
This injury adds to the 49ers’ challenges, as they lost their top edge rusher, Nick Bosa, to a torn ACL earlier this season. Currently, the 49ers rank 25th in the NFL with just 14 sacks this season, and Huff has been a critical player, leading the team with four sacks and six quarterback hits.
“Hopefully it won’t be longer than two weeks,” Shanahan stated. “You know he’s coming back sooner than later.”
The 49ers are also grappling with the absence of center Jake Brendel, who is sidelined for a similar timeframe due to a hamstring injury. This situation leaves the team with limited options on their defensive line, as they are also without end Yetur Gross-Matos. Rookie Mykel Williams and Sam Okuayinonu are now the only healthy edges, while the 49ers consider their options leading up to the trade deadline on November 5.
As the team prepares for back-to-back road games—first against the Houston Texans on November 2 and then against the New York Giants—the urgency for finding additional pass-rushing support is palpable. Shanahan acknowledged ongoing discussions with the front office about potential trades to bolster the team’s edge rusher position.
Despite Huff’s absence, the 49ers managed to disrupt the Falcons’ offense, utilizing creative blitz schemes under defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. However, they will need to ramp up their efforts without Huff and Brendel on the field.
In addition to these injuries, the team continues to monitor the health of quarterback Brock Purdy, who is dealing with a toe issue, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr., who has a knee injury. Cornerback Renardo Green is also listed as day-to-day due to a toe injury. The 49ers may see Spencer Burford return from injured reserve as early as this week, adding a glimmer of hope to their offensive line.
As the team rallies to address these injuries, the spotlight is on their resilience and ability to adapt. The 49ers currently hold a 5-2 record, and tight end George Kittle emphasized the importance of teamwork in overcoming these challenges, praising backup quarterback Mac Jones for his leadership during tough games.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 49ers navigate this critical juncture in their season.
