The San Francisco 49ers will be without two key starters for at least the next couple of weeks due to hamstring injuries, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced Monday.
“[Center] Jake Brendel has a hamstring injury and is expected to miss a few weeks,” Shanahan said. “We also found out [defensive end] Bryce Huff has a similar issue and will likely be out for around the same amount of time.”
According to Shanahan, Huff sustained his injury on one of the final defensive plays of Sunday’s game. The news comes after Huff’s standout performance against the Atlanta Falcons, where he recorded five tackles, a sack, five pressures, and a forced fumble. Since Nick Bosa’s season-ending ACL tear in Week 3, Huff has emerged as the team’s most productive pass rusher.
With Bosa, Huff, and Yetur Gross-Matos (hamstring/knee) all sidelined, the 49ers are left with Sam Okuayinonu, Mykel Williams, and Trevis Gipson as their only healthy defensive ends. The team may look to Robert Beal Jr. and William Bradley-King from the practice squad or explore trade options ahead of the Nov. 4 deadline.
“It definitely hurts to lose Huff,” Shanahan said, “but since it’s just a hamstring, we’re hopeful he’ll be back within a couple of weeks. Our personnel staff has already been evaluating options and will keep doing so.”
Brendel’s injury occurred in the second quarter during a Brian Robinson Jr. run. After receiving medical attention on the field, he was ruled out soon after. Brendel, who has started 58 straight games, was replaced by veteran Matt Hennessy, a former Falcon.
Shanahan noted that Hennessy “wasn’t perfect” in his first start but “did very well” managing the offensive line. Quarterback Mac Jones also praised Hennessy’s composure, saying, “He was cool as a cucumber and just went out there and did his job.”
In addition to Huff and Brendel, cornerback Renardo Green left Sunday’s game with a toe injury and is listed as day-to-day. Darrell Luter Jr. filled in for Green and “had a big impact,” according to Shanahan.
Elsewhere on the injury front, quarterback Brock Purdy (right big toe) and receiver Ricky Pearsall (right knee) will both be evaluated throughout the week, with their availability for Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Texans still uncertain. Shanahan said it would be “a reach” to assume Purdy is on track to start.
Additionally, offensive lineman Spencer Burford, who has missed the past five games with a knee injury, could have his 21-day practice window opened this week.
