San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk will miss a few weeks with a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise, coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday, October 5, after an MRI showed no ligament damage from the injury he suffered in Sunday’s win over the Denver Broncos.
The result was a relief for the unbeaten 49ers, who had feared something worse when Juszczyk went down in the fourth quarter of the 24–14 victory at Levi’s Stadium. He took a hit to the knee on a reception from Brock Purdy, and the team ruled him out for the rest of the game minutes later.
#49ers @SutterHealth Injury Update: Kyle Juszczyk is out for the remainder of the game (knee).
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) October 4, 2026
Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the injury was a knee sprain with a bone bruise and put the expected absence at two to three weeks. Shanahan did not give a specific number. That timeline would rule Juszczyk out of Sunday’s game in Seattle and could keep him out for one or two more after that.
How the 49ers will replace him
Few teams build their offense around a fullback the way San Francisco does, and Juszczyk’s versatility as a lead blocker, receiver and occasional ball carrier is difficult to copy with one player. Shanahan said the tight ends will absorb the role: George Kittle, Luke Farrell and Brayden Willis. “They’re all pretty interchangeable,” Shanahan said, adding that the change would give Willis more opportunities. He said Willis has been preparing for a bigger role.
Juszczyk caught two passes for 28 yards against Denver before he was hurt. Kittle scored the game’s final touchdown on a 56-yard catch with 2:15 left, finishing with four receptions for 70 yards.
Other 49ers injuries
Shanahan said receiver Mike Evans, who caught five passes for 76 yards while playing through a rib injury against Denver, is not expected to have any setback before Sunday, although he will likely play in some pain. Safety Marques Sigle has a high ankle sprain with no set timeline, and cornerback Upton Stout is day-to-day with an AC joint injury in his shoulder. Nick Bosa, James Thompson Jr. and Christian Kirk are not expected back this week. Defensive lineman Mykel Williams, working back from a torn ACL, could be activated if he gets through a full week of practice, including team drills.
What comes next
The 49ers (4–0) visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, October 11, at 4:25 p.m. EDT. Follow every status change on the WhyNFL injury tracker.
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