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The San Francisco 49ers beat writers are flying back to the Bay Area this morning, and 49ers left tackle Joe Staley was on their flight. Staley remained in Philadelphia behind the team to get his eye examined at a local hospital.
Reports came out Sunday evening saying that Staley had suffered an orbital fracture, but that it would not require surgery. Staley told the writers that was the case, and also said it was a cheap shot from Fletcher Cox during the interception return that led to the injury.
Staley did not offer a timeline for his recovery. Adam Schefter said it was not a season-ending injury. I found a report from 2011 in which James Harrison suffered an orbital fracture and missed four games. The 49ers face Arizona and the New York Giants the next two weeks, followed by a bye week and then a home game against the Seattle Seahawks.
While Staley remains sidelined, Garry Gilliam would be the next man up at tackle. He suffered a knee injury on Sunday, and if he is unable to go this week, Zane Beadles would be the next man up after that. There is no word yet on if Trent Brown would move over to left tackle. Brown missed this past week’s game with a concussion, so that is something to also keep in mind.
Joe Staley (along with several reporters) is on flight back to Bay Area that leaves Philadelphia in 30 minutes. He's in good spirits.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 30, 2017
No surgery is required for fractured orbital. No damage to his eye. It's quite swollen, though. He spent night at hotel.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 30, 2017
Staley confirmed cheap shot from #Eagles Fletcher Cox. Said Cox's hand must have gotten inside his face mask, which fractured orbital bone.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) October 30, 2017