49ers Stud OT Joe Staley Expected to Miss up to 8 Weeks With Broken Leg
By Michael Luciano
One of the most underrated lineman in the league will miss a good chunk of the 2019 season.
According to San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, tackle Joe Staley suffered a broken fibula during their dominant win over the Cincinnati Bengals and will miss up to around eight weeks. Shanahan is optimistic that he will be back before the last gasp of the season.
49ers’ OT Joe Staley broke his fibula and is expected to be out eight weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2019
During his 12-year career with the 49ers, Staley has made six Pro Bowls and earned three second-team All-Pro nods.
Since Jimmy Garoppolo isn't exactly Michael Vick in the backfield, keeping him upright and protected is going to be a major emphasis for this offense, and losing Staley makes that task that much harder.
#49ers OT Joe Staley has a broken fibula, per coach Kyle Shanahan. The early thought is that it’s not season-ending but they’ll have more info Monday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 15, 2019
2018 first-round pick Mike McGlinchey stayed at right tackle, while 2019 sixth-round pick Justin Skule replaced Staley at left tackle.
Skule is clearly a major downgrade from Staley, so the 49ers will need to hold on for dear life until he returns. Two straight games against the Browns and Rams isn't the best remedy for that.