Now Matt Breida is injured and everything is terrible. pic.twitter.com/p2tZKKPkxu
— Dieter Kurtenbach (@dkurtenbach) October 7, 2018
SANTA CLARA – The San Francisco 49ers continue to be plagued by injuries. Before the first quarter concluded, the 49ers lost two key offensive players in running back Matt Breida and wide receiver Pierre Garcon.
Breida, who caught a shovel pass for a five-yard touchdown to open the game, was finding and breaking through running lanes with success. Then, on a run to the right side, Breida cut back to the left and was caught by Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker around his knees.
Breida immediately clutched his legs and limped off the field with assistance, exiting with what was called an ankle injury. He later walked into the 49ers locker room without assistance.
Garcon also exited the game with a shoulder injury after being examined in the 49ers medical tent. Garcon returned to the game in the second quarter, while Breida’s did not return.
UPDATE: Breida suffered a mid-to-high ankle sprain according to Matt Maiocco.
The MRI on #49ers RB Matt Breida came back negative, according to a source. It’s considered more of a mid-ankle sprain, which is good news. He’s been battling a variety of injuries the past few weeks and has proven to be a quick healer.
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) October 8, 2018
The 49ers offense lacked a clear spark without Breida in the game, as Alfred Morris and Raheem Mostert, normally the third- and fourth-string running backs, took over in the backfield. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan discussed the difficulty of moving on without Breida in what proved to be a 28-18 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.
“If Breida can’t go back in the game, then no one can go back in the game because he works as hard as anyone at that,” Shanahan said. “He’s been one of our better players and obviously when he’s not in there it’s definitely not easier.”