Two 49ers Defenders Scheduled For MRIs After Suffering Knee Sprains

A pair of the best San Francisco 49ers defensive ends suffered knee injuries in Friday’s preseason finale’s 24-24 tie with the Las Vegas Raiders.

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Leonard Floyd and Yetur Gross-Matos likely sustained knee sprains, according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.

“Most likely a sprain — not ACL or anything,” Shanahan told the media postgame. “But we’ll find out more tomorrow.”

Both defensive ends are scheduled for MRI exams on Saturday, but it appears that Floyd and Gross-Matos may have avoided serious injuries.

Both defensive ends sustained knee injuries in the first quarter of the contest with the Las Vegas Raiders. Neither player was spotted with crutches on the sideline after getting hurt. Floyd eventually returned from the locker room in the middle of the game. Gross-Matos spent some time in the blue medical tent.

But Shanahan told reporters it’s still too soon to tell if the duo will be available for San Francisco’s regular-season opener on Sept. 9 against the New York Jets.

Since starting defensive end Nick Bosa didn’t suit up for Friday’s game, Floyd and Gross-Matos competed as the first unit.

It was a short preseason debut for Floyd, who was one of the biggest offseason acquisitions in the offseason. The 31-year-old veteran signed a two-year, $20 million contract with San Francisco.

The ninth-year defensive end recorded 39.5 sacks throughout the last four seasons with the Buffalo Bills and NFC West rivals, the Los Angeles Rams.

Gross-Matos also joined San Francisco in the offseason. The defensive end signed a two-year, $18 million contract with the 49ers. Gross-Matos entered free agency after spending four seasons with the Carolina Panthers.

Floyd and Gross-Matos add much-needed depth to the unit. Without the pair, the depth at the edge would dwindle.

It would be a huge loss to the 49ers’ defense if the pair were sidelined for several games, especially since San Francisco invested millions to bolster the defensive position this offseason.

Behind Floyd and Gross-Matos on the depth chart, are Robert Beal Jr., Alex Barrett, Sam Okuayinonu, and Jonathan Garvin.

If both Floyd and Gross-Matos were absent from the Week 1 matchup, it would certainly be alarming. If the 49ers make any moves concerning edge rushers, it would signal that the injuries are rather serious.

Nevertheless, the fact that both players aren’t believed to have sustained ACL injuries is a good sign for San Francisco.