The San Francisco 49ers are facing mounting frustration after learning that star defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is likely to miss the remainder of the season due to a partially torn triceps. This injury follows the team’s recent disappointing 27-24 loss, during which they allowed four consecutive scoring drives in the closing moments of the game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that Hargrave will require surgery and will be sidelined for several months. Although there is a possibility he could return if the 49ers make a deep playoff run, the team is preparing to move forward without him in the immediate future. “It’s a big one,” Shanahan remarked on Monday. He praised Hargrave’s performance in the recent game, stating, “I thought he had his best game yesterday. He was a huge factor and really affected the quarterback. It’s a significant loss.” Shanahan acknowledged Hargrave as one of the team’s top players and noted that he was on track for a standout season.
This injury compounds the challenges the 49ers (1-2) are already facing, as several key players, including Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle, have also missed time this season. In contrast to last season, when these star players remained largely healthy, the current campaign has started on a much tougher note. “This year has been totally different to start out,” Shanahan reflected. He expressed a desire to remain optimistic, hoping all injured players would return, but admitted that Hargrave’s injury changed the outlook significantly. “We definitely haven’t had the luck that we had last year,” he added.
Defensively, the 49ers have struggled early in the season. Shanahan’s decision to fire defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and promote Nick Sorensen has yet to yield positive outcomes, as the team currently allows an alarming 6.11 yards per play, one of the worst starts in franchise history. Recent games have seen the defense give up significant plays, highlighted by a critical moment on Sunday when cornerback Charvarius Ward allowed a 50-yard pass that led to the tying touchdown.
The team’s special teams and offensive plays have also contributed to the losses. For instance, Jake Moody’s failure to convert a 55-yard field goal on a previous drive, along with Ronnie Bell’s dropped pass that could have set up a game-winning field goal, put additional pressure on the defense during crucial moments.
Overall, the 49ers are grappling with injuries and performance issues that threaten to derail their season, emphasizing the need for adjustments and resilience as they look to navigate the challenges ahead.