NFL insider Ian Rapoport of NFL Network was on KNBR Monday morning and provided an update on two key San Francisco 49ers injuries.
The first was an update on starting left tackle Joe Staley, who suffered a fractured orbital bone as reported on Sunday night.
"It's basically a broken face," Rapoport said. "So it's a fractured orbital bone. He's flying back this morning, had surgery along with a couple of either stitches or glue to basically keep the cut and keep the blood at bay. Sounds like this is a 'couple of week' injury. I was told it could be just depending on the type of fracture. It could be as few as two. It could be as many as four or five. So he is expected to miss some time."
Staley's injury occurred following an interception by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills when defensive lineman Fletcher Cox blocked the left tackle during the return. Staley remained overnight at a local hospital in Philadelphia while the team returned home on Sunday night.
While there is a good possibility that Staley returns to the starting lineup this season, the news for safety Jimmie Ward wasn't as positive. Ward suffered a fractured forearm, according to 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. The injury occurred during the first quarter following a tackle on a 15-yard pass to Eagles tight end Trey Burton.
"The broken forearm for [Arizona Cardinals quarterback] Carson Palmer, we just saw him go on IR," Rapoport said, "out about six to eight weeks with that so that's what I would think for Jimmie Ward and, obviously, just based on where we are in the season, it's something that really could be season-ending."