The San Francisco 49ers kept their streak alive Sunday with a convincing 24-14 win over the visiting Denver Broncos.
Brock Purdy went 19 of 30 for 218 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, continuing to build his case for league MVP. Mike Evans led all receivers with 76 yards on five catches, while George Kittle posted another strong game in his return from a torn Achilles, catching four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown.
But it wasn’t all good news for the 49ers offense. Star fullback Kyle Juszczyk left the game with a sprained knee after being hit by a Broncos defender and didn’t return.
On Monday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that initial tests showed Juszczyk hyperextended his knee and could miss “a couple of weeks.” Later that day, Schefter reported that an MRI revealed a sprain and bone bruise in his knee, and he’s now expected to miss the next 2-3 weeks.
Juszczyk is not only one of the best fullbacks in the NFL, with 10 Pro Bowl nods and three All-Pro honors, but also a critical piece of the 49ers’ offense.
Even at 35, he was off to another hot start this season, with four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown. He has also been the lead blocker for Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, and rookie back Kaelon Black, a group averaging nearly five yards per carry.
While the injury could have been worse, even a few weeks is a tough blow for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, especially with the Seahawks up next in Seattle. Seattle has one of the best defenses in the league, and without Juszczyk, the 49ers could struggle to keep the pressure off Purdy.
After that, San Francisco will close out October with matchups against the Commanders and Falcons, a stretch they may need to manage without one of their best players.