San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos underwent knee surgery and will miss several weeks.
More news: Bengals Star Defender Expected to Miss Remainder of Season With Torn ACL
Gross-Matos could return anywhere from four to eight weeks. The injury had to do with the one he sustained against the Las Vegas Raiders in the preseason.
Rest was not enough for Gross-Matos, and thus, he opted for the procedure.
“I think he got his surgery Friday, and they told me anywhere like four to eight weeks, is there estimate on it,” Shanahan told reporters. “And so, it’s a pretty big estimate, but four on the short side, eight on the long. … It was the same injury that he had in the last preseason game. We thought giving it a long rest would be able to help it. It did for a little bit.
“But then, the more he started playing and started aggravating it again, it just became too painful. So, had to make the choice to get surgery, and I think it was a good decision.”
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Yetur Gross-Matos #94 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes the quarterback during the game against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. The 49ers defeated the Patriots 30-13. Yetur Gross-Matos set to miss four to eight weeks after undergoing surgery.
Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
Gross-Matos appeared in three games for the 49ers and has played 81 snaps on defense. He was slated to be a key inside pass rusher in nickel situations with the loss of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave for the season.
The 49ers have been decimated by injuries on both sides of the ball. The loss of key starters is evident in their 2-3 record.
San Francisco sank below .500 after a brutal 24-23 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday. The team has less than a week to prepare for the Thursday Night Football divisional showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
San Francisco defensive lineman Nick Bosa insists the team has been through worse and the squad will find ways to win.
“This organization, since Kyle has taken over, has found ways to win,” Bosa said. “If you’re turning the ball over and you’re not making those plays on defense, you’re going to lose in the NFL. I haven’t lost confidence in this group. We’ve been through worse.”
Although fans are starting to lose confidence in the 49ers, linebacker Fred Warner believes the identity of the team will emerge based on how players respond to the rocky start.
More news: Jets HC Provides Massive Update on Aaron Rodgers Ankle Injury
“I don’t think you find out exactly who you are until you go through hard times,” Warner said. “And I think we’re going through the hardest times right now and we’ll see how we respond.”
There lies a tough road ahead for the 49ers as the first few games were slated as the “easy part” of the schedule.
For more NFL news, visit Newsweek Sports.
