New San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Dee Ford has been dealing with chronic knee tendinitis — or tendinosis — since training camp. The issue sidelined him during practices and for the entire preseason. He has, however, appeared in each of the team's three games this season.
The 49ers thought they had a handle on the situation by having Ford undergo platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections during training camp. The problem resurfaced during the team's Week 2 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Ford played just 16 snaps during San Francisco's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
It sounds like Ford is preparing to just play through the discomfort this season, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Dee Ford said he he'll have to play through his knee tendinitis this season, but he's accustomed to playing through injuries: He said he played last year with a torn groin he sustained in Week 3 against the #49ers. Ford had 13 sacks and a NFL-best 7 forced fumbles in 2018.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) September 24, 2019
Ford might require surgery after the season but will deal with the discomfort during San Francisco's upcoming schedule of games.
"[My knee] will never be 100 percent," Ford told The Athletic before the regular-season opener earlier this month. "It's enough. It's enough. I wouldn't step on the field if I wasn't ready."
The 49ers surrendered a 2020 second-round draft pick on March 12 to acquire Ford from the Kansas City Chiefs, and then quickly signed him to a new five-year deal. He has two sacks and a forced fumble through three games this season.
Ford, who is in his sixth NFL season, recorded career-highs of 13 sacks, 55 combined tackles, and seven forced fumbles last year with the Chiefs.