The San Francisco 49ers could be without fullback Kyle Juszczyk for several weeks after he hyperextended his knee during Sunday’s 24-14 win over the Denver Broncos, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Juszczyk, 35, left the game and did not return after Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron brought him down on a 16-yard reception on the first play of the fourth quarter, with Barron’s hit landing on his knees.
After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan said the team believed Juszczyk had sprained his knee. Schefter reported that further tests were scheduled for Monday to rule out ligament damage, and Shanahan is expected to give an update during his weekly conference call with reporters Monday afternoon.
Juszczyk has been a fixture in Shanahan’s offense since the 49ers signed him in 2017, Shanahan’s first year as head coach. He has played in all but seven games over nearly ten seasons since, and he has earned All-Pro honors in each of the past three seasons, including first-team selections in 2023 and 2025. He is a 10-time Pro Bowler.
Beyond his blocking duties, Juszczyk has become an increasingly important target for quarterback Brock Purdy as the 49ers have dealt with other injuries at receiver. His 16-yard catch Sunday was his second reception of the game, bringing his total to 28 yards, and he also caught a touchdown pass in the team’s Week 2 win over the Miami Dolphins.
The injury adds to a lengthening list of absences on the 49ers offense heading into a Week 5 road game against the Seattle Seahawks. Along with Juszczyk, the team could also be missing receivers Demarcus Robinson, De’Zhaun Stribling, Ricky Pearsall and Christian Kirk.
Despite the injuries, the Purdy-led offense has continued to produce under Shanahan’s system this season. Whether that continues against Seattle’s defense without one of the offense’s most versatile players remains to be seen.
