The San Francisco 49ers have faced a wave of injuries since training camp started, which doesn’t look promising for their squad as 2026 approaches.
In their preseason opener against the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, the 49ers lost a pair of players. Cornerback Jack Jones went down with a hand injury during the first drive.
The second injury struck third-string quarterback Curtis Rourke, who had to be taken to the hospital. According to team sources, Rourke was discharged on Thursday night but had experienced shortness of breath. Although an X-ray at the stadium revealed no fractures, more tests were necessary.
It’s unclear exactly when he injured his ribs. It could have happened when he was tackled during a run at the 1-yard line. After playing three series, he exited, and Adrian Martinez stepped in midway through the second quarter.
With neither Brock Purdy nor Mac Jones suited up for the game, Martinez was the only quarterback available after Rourke left.
Rourke had actually performed well in his preseason debut, completing 12 of 14 passes for 100 yards and displaying solid mobility. He missed the entire 2025 season recovering from ACL surgery.
The 49ers had drafted Rourke in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, specifically with the 227th overall pick. Had Martinez also been injured, the team would have had to rely on tight end Braden Willis for emergency quarterback duties.
As the regular season draws closer, San Francisco’s struggles with injuries remain a pressing concern.
