49ers Lose Star Center Weston Richburg for Rest of Season With Torn Patellar Tendon
By Karl Rasmussen
The San Francisco 49ers look to be one of the best all-around teams in the NFL, but they just lost a key member of their offense.
Star center Weston Richburg will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon.
Big blow for the #49ers: Center Weston Richburg will miss the rest of the season with a torn patellar tendon.
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 9, 2019
Richburg had started every game for the 49ers this season and was featured in 100% snaps in all but two contests. To say he is a critical part of both their pass and run blocking is an understatement.
The 28-year-old logged 13 starts prior to going down with the leg injury, and he won't be able to return in time for the playoffs, where the Niners are hoping to claim the top seed in the NFC.
This isn't the only concerning injury to come from Sunday's win over the Saints, as Richard Sherman is also expected to miss time with a hamstring injury.
Rundown of #49ers injuries:
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) December 9, 2019
*DE Dee Ford: Expected to miss at least 3 weeks w/ hamstring injury.
*CB Richard Sherman: Expected to miss couple of weeks w/ hamstring strain.
*C Weston Richburg: Out for season w/ torn patella tendon
*CB K’Waun Williams: In concussion protocol
Ben Garland is likely the next man up in Richburg's stead, unless the Niners choose to pick someone up out of free agency.
Garland, 31, is in his first year in San Francisco. His career started in Denver where he played in 2012 and 2014 before joining the Falcons up until the end of the 2018 season.
He latched on with the Niners this past offseason and has appeared in six games, though he has yet to make a start.