The 49ers didn’t have great injury luck in 2019, but they dealt with their injuries thanks to the strong depth accumulated by the front office over the last three offseasons.
Going into 2020, San Francisco should get most of the players back who finished the 2019 campaign on Injured Reserve. Here are the six players who could help bolster the 49ers’ roster up returning from IR.
C Weston Richburg
The 49ers lost Richburg to a torn patellar tendon in their Week 14 win over the Saints. It looked initially like the kind of injury that could derail San Francisco’s season. He is a terrific pass blocker in the middle of the line who helps stabilize the interior alongside Laken Tomlinson and Mike Person. While backup Ben Garland did a fine job in Richburg’s stead, having their starter back will only solidify an already strong offensive line.
DL Ronald Blair
There’s no guarantee Blair returns since he enters the 2020 offseason as an unrestricted free agent. San Francisco lost the four-year veteran to a torn ACL in their Week 10 loss to the Seahawks. The play he was injured on was a prime example of his value to the club. He raced to the edge to meet Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and slung him to the ground for a sack, but moved awkwardly on the play and was hurt. The sack was his third of the season, and No. 13.5 in his four-year career. Blair’s versatility and motor were essential to the 49ers’ deep defensive line rotation, and getting him back at some point next season will help the pass rush immensely
WR Trent Taylor
Prior to injuring his foot in the preseason, Taylor was arguably the 49ers’ best wide receiver in camp. He wound up having five surgeries on a foot that was supposed to only keep him out one or two weeks after one surgery. Taylor is entering his fourth year in a receiving corps that desperately needs help. He’s not big or a burner, but his work on third down and ability to generate space in tight windows will only make the 49ers’ offense better. Health is a big question mark for Taylor, who had a slow 2018 season after having offseason back surgery, but his value to the offense is clear when he does suit up.
DL DJ Jones
Losing Jones to a high ankle sprain in Week 14 was an under-the-radar tough injury for the 49ers’ defensive line. The 2017 sixth-round pick emerged as the starting nose tackle in 2019. He’s a strong run defender who also flashed some explosiveness as a pass rusher with the first two sacks of his career. Jones should be back in plenty of time for the start of the year, and his presence in the middle of the defensive line will be a significant upgrade over what the 49ers finished the 2019 campaign with.
RB Jerick McKinnon
McKinnon’s roster spot isn’t guaranteed after missing all of the last two years with knee injuries. The 49ers need to clear some salary cap space, and McKinnon’s contract would allow them to save some significant money. However, he was a player they envisioned being a key part of their offense when they signed him in the 2018 offseason. He’s another versatile back who can line up and be effective all over the field. If he does stick around and stay healthy, he could turn into the multifaceted weapon head coach Kyle Shanahan envisioned him being from Day 1.
WR Jalen Hurd
Hurd’s first preseason game was electric. The 2019 third-round pick scored two touchdowns, both of which displayed the vast skill set that made him such an exciting prospect in the 49ers’ offense. He ran through a defender at the goal line on his first score, then high-pointed a fade route for his second score. He hurt his back leading up to the second preseason game though and wound up missing the season. Hurd has a chance to be a dynamic tight end-receiver-running back hybrid that’s used in a similar vein to Deebo Samuel, but with perhaps more upside as a runner given his background as a college running back. The future for Hurd is still exciting despite injuries derailing his rookie year.
