The San Francisco 49ers hoped they had a handle on Dee Ford's knee tendinitis when they had their new pass rusher undergo platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections during training camp. For a while, it looked like the dilemma was solved.
Then the problem resurfaced.
Ford has managed to play in each of San Francisco's three games this season, but he was a significant question mark for last weekend's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team listed him as questionable for Week 3, and Ford managed to get onto the field, but he played just 16 snaps in the 24-20 victory.
Ford plans to continue playing through the season despite being bothered by the tendinitis. Offseason surgery might be necessary, but for now, he plans to fight through the discomfort.
"I had to deal with it last year, too," Ford told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I didn't expect it to come back this soon, but it's nothing that I can't take care of. I've been through worse."
It wasn't just tendinitis that Ford dealt with last year while with the Kansas City Chiefs. He played 13 regular-season games and two playoff games with a torn groin.
Ford has been limited to just 42 percent of the defense's total snaps. Yet, the 49ers are 3-0, and the defense has played a significant role in each of the wins.
General manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Friday and was asked about his prized offseason acquisition. The 49ers traded away a second-round draft pick to the Chiefs in exchange for Ford, and then signed him to a new five-year contract worth up to $85 million.
Lynch was asked if it's true that Ford will fight through the discomfort this season?
"Hopefully, that's not the deal," Lynch responded. "That was the thought when we took him off the field and did the PRP [...] It's really good for those tendinitis (problems) when you have an inflammation of an area. He tends to get that right above his knee, in his quad area.
"We thought we could wipe it out. It came back when we were in Youngstown (before Week 2). We practiced on turf for three straight days, and it hurt Dee. It was an unfortunate deal."
Ford recorded career highs of 55 combined tackles, 13 sacks, and seven forced fumbles last season. He has two sacks this season, which is tied with DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead for the most among 49ers players.
"This bye week comes, again, (at) a nice time," Lynch continued. "Hopefully, that thing gets to quiet down. When you get it to quiet down, he feels great, so hopefully, we can keep it that way.
"I think you can see Dee, he's a difference-maker when he's out there, and he and (rookie defensive end Nick) Bosa have added so much to this team, and making everybody around them better. Those guys are critical to our success, and he's been a great addition, and he'll continue to be."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.