The 49ers didn’t even need to take the field for the injury bug to strike this year. NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo on Tuesday reported 49ers running back Jeff Wilson Jr. underwent surgery on a torn meniscus that will keep him out for four-to-six months. General manager John Lynch on Wednesday detailed the bizarre circumstances of the injury, which didn’t occur on the practice field during OTAs.
Lynch in a conference call with reporters cleared up some of the confusion about Wilson’s knee ailment. The GM said Wilson was in the locker room after lifting weights and felt a pop in his knee. His knee was then immobile, and testing revealed a torn meniscus.
“He’s a little embarrassed as to how it happened,” Lynch said via Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “But that’s how it happened.”
There was also some clarity provided as to when the injury occurred. Wilson was hurt Thursday and had surgery Friday. Garafolo’s report surfaced the following Tuesday, less than a week after the initial injury. The expectation is Wilson will start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.
Starting the season on PUP will push Wilson out for at least the first six games. That would mean a Week 7 return on Oct. 24 at the earliest for the fourth-year running back when the 49ers host the Colts. Week 7 would be just over five months from the day of Wilson’s injury, which is in the middle of his projected four-to-six month timeline.
Wilson last season rushed for 600 yards and seven touchdowns on 126 carries. Getting him back in the middle of the year would be a nice addition for a 49ers running back room that figures to be a deep one this season.
[listicle id=666801]