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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.
Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team revealed his latest mock draft, which goes seven rounds deep and projects every selection for every NFL team. While most predict that the San Francisco 49ers will add an offensive lineman with their first selection, No. 31 overall, Mosher has the Bay Area team going in a different direction.
The writer and analyst has the Niners selecting former UCLA pass rusher Laiatu Latu in the first round.
"It wouldn't be a shock to see Laiatu Latu fall in the draft due to his medical history, but he is too good of a value to pass up here at No. 31," Mosher wrote. "The San Francisco 49ers have been searching for the right pass
NFL Network host Rhett Lewis released his first mock draft of the year on NFL.com. What does he project the San Francisco 49ers doing with the No. 31 overall pick? Lewis has the team acquiring some edge-rushing help, bolstering a group that already includes Nick Bosa and newly signed Leonard Floyd.
The host has the 49ers selecting former Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.
According to Sports Reference, Robinson registered 41 tackles, including 17.5 for a loss, 9.5 sacks, three passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in two
San Francisco 49ers GM John Lynch and Offensive Line coach Chris Foerster were in Seattle on Saturday scouting prospects of the Washington Huskies. While Washington has multiple talented draft prospects, the fact that Foerster was accompanying Lynch is notable considering Washington has two offensive linemen who are getting a lot of attention—Troy Fautanu and Roger Rosengarten.
Per source, John Lynch, Chris Foerster looked at several Washington draft prospects today. Huskies are loaded with draft talent, including …WR: Rome Odunze, Ja'Lynn Polk, Jalen McMillanOL: Troy Fautanu, Roger RosengartenEDGE:
Last week, it was reported that the San Francisco 49ers planned to host former Kentucky cornerback Andru Phillips on a pre-draft visit. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirms that the visit will take place during the upcoming week, which marks the final opportunity for such visits to occur.
Phillips will also meet with the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans this week.
Adding a noteworthy tidbit to the social media post, Garafolo mentions, "A likely second-round pick, though some evaluators have first-round grades on
