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20% of the San Francisco 49ers roster is currently sidelined with injuries
Last season, a theory about an electrical substation outside of the San Francisco 49ers’ practice facility being the cause of the team’s uniquely high injury rate went viral. Thus far into the 2026 season, the theory is only gaining steam, as the Niners currently have 20 players sidelined.
According to reports, at least 20 players were sidelined at Wednesday’s training camp practice — a figure that represents more than 20 percent of the San Francisco 49ers roster before a single preseason snap has been taken.
20% of the San Francisco 49ers roster is already injured, fueling theories about the electrical substation near the practice field
The injury list includes: defensive end Nick Bosa (soreness), offensive lineman Carver Willis (concussion), fullback Kyle Juszczyk (finger), wide receiver Jacob Cowing (hip flexor), offensive lineman Brett Toth (undisclosed), defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (soreness), linebacker Dre Greenlaw (soreness), wide receiver Christian Kirk (calf), wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (hamstring), wide receiver Mike Evans (quad), safety Malik Mustapha (hamstring), running back Kaelon Black (adductor), running back Jordan James (ribs), defensive end Keion White (adductor), offensive tackle Vederian Lowe (ankle), Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) and guard Nick Zakelj (elbow).
In addition to those recent injury issues, players such as tight end George Kittle (Achilles), defensive end Mykel Williams (knee), and running back Isaac Guerendo (pec) have also been sidelined for the entirety of training camp thus far and remain on the physically unable to perform list. The Niners also have five players, including wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, on injured reserve.
In a study put together by Peter Cowan, the San Francisco 49ers were found to be the most injured team in the NFL since 2014. According to Cowan’s data, since moving to Levi’s Stadium in 2014, the 49ers are: top-5 in Adjusted Games Lost for 10 of 11 seasons; have had 7-8 full Achilles/patellar ruptures compared to the league average of two-to-three per year TOTAL; 40+ major hamstring/calf tears; and a pattern of high-ankle syndesmosis injuries every single year.”
Cowan hypothesized that the electrical substation near the Niners’ facility could be emitting “low-frequency electromagnetic fields” that can “degrade collagen, weaken tendons, and cause soft-tissue damage at levels regulators call ‘safe.’”
The 49ers will open their 2026 season with a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia on Thursday, September 10. At this rate, they may just be hoping they’ll be able to field a full roster.