San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan on Tuesday revealed in a video conference with reporters that defensive lineman Ronald Blair and center Weston Richburg are probably out for the season due to setbacks in their respective recoveries. Richburg and Blair have spent the entirety of the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
The 49ers had been optimistic that Blair and/or Richburg could return at some point this season, suggesting Weeks 10-12 were a target for their return just over a month ago. However, that is clearly no longer the case.
Blair suffered a torn ACL over a year ago in the 49ers 27-24 Week 10 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In 9 games last season, Blair recorded 21 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks. A solid rotational defensive lineman since he was drafted in the 5th round of the 2016 draft, the 49ers depleted defensive line could have used his reinforcement.
Richburg suffered a torn patellar tendon in the 49ers 48-46 win against the New Orleans Saints last season. He has not played since. Signed to a 5-year, $47.5 million contract to be the team’s starting center before 2018, Richburg has been a stabilizing force on the offensive line when healthy but has been sorely missed this season.
