The San Francisco 49ers are sending out their starters for a second drive in their first preseason game, but it will be without defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. The team announced that Buckner is done for the game with an ankle injury.
Injuries are never good, but it seems like this is more precautionary than anything. Matt Maiocco offered this observation from the press box.
It doesn’t look too bad for Buckner. He is standing on #49ers sideline. And he just put his helmet back on. I don’t think they’ve told him.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) August 12, 2017
I have a feeling Buckner would have continued playing in the regular season, but there is absolutely no reason to risk further injury in a meaningless preseason game. Kyle Shanahan will meet with the media after the game, and I’m sure he’ll get a question about the injury. The 49ers return to practice on Monday, so that report will tell us a lot more.