The San Francisco 49ers suffered an embarrassing lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and there are going to be some lingering effects. Head coach Kyle Shanahan informed the media in his post-game press conference that safety/cornerback Jimmie Ward suffered a broken forearm early into the game. It’s a safe bet he will be placed on injured reserve, ending his season.
And so another injury claims a member of the 49ers roster. The team is just scrambling for bodies at this point and playing backups of backups. Ward was pulled from the game with the injury early into the first quarter and rookie D.J. Reed filled in.
With the probable IR-designation for Ward, he may have played his last game as a 49er. The 49ers picked up his fifth-year option in before the 2017 season began and used him as a backup for both nickel corner and safety in 2018. Given the injury issues, it didn’t take long for Ward to come into the starting lineup.
Ward has fought the battle to stay healthy his entire career. He’s managed a full season in 2015, but beyond that has been in and out of lineups due to various injury issues. He has expressed desire to stay with the team, and the 49ers would like to keep depth, but he has been unable to keep himself healthy.
D.J. Reed may see some extended playing time and I imagine the 49ers would make a promotion from the practice squad. Tyvis Powell seems to be the man to keep around as he’s been in and out of the lineup. There are many reasons for the 49ers downward spiral, but the injury bug is one of the more prominent.