Coach Kyle Shanahan correctly and unfortunately predicted that wide receiver Jalen Hurd — a mythical play-maker at this point in his stalled career — will miss a second straight season. The culprit this time: a “fluke” knee injury.
Hurd underwent an MRI exam Monday that revealed a torn anterior cruciate ligament, his agent, Doug Hendrickson, confirmed Monday night on KNBR 680-AM.
Video: Shanahan on Hurd’s ACL tear report. CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
Hurd missed his rookie season because of a stress fracture in his back following some inspiring play in the 49ers’ opening exhibitions.
“It’s a pretty unfortunate thing for him,” Shanahan said. “We know what he went through last year with his back, and he’s worked as hard as anyone on our team to get back. For him to get hurt before he actually got to go out there, just a freak thing on air cutting, I really felt bad for the guy.
“But he’ll be back next year.”
#49ers camp:
No Jalen Hurd (MRI on ACL) or K’Waun Williams (calf).Garoppolo 40yds to KB vs Ward
First day in pads, no major hits.
Mostert v Kwon gonna be fun to see
Harris INT of Mullens
Arik Armstead worked on side
TD catches by Bourne (2), Kittle, Poindexter, Mostert pic.twitter.com/8MtmJoT2dO
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) August 17, 2020
To ease Hurd into action this training camp, the 49ers planned to pull him after the first half of each practice these first few days, essentially limiting him to offensive warmups and steering him clear of interaction with the defense. That is what happened Saturday and Sunday.
In Sunday’s side session with trainer Dustin Perry, Hurd went down while running, yet another in a string of issues that have hindered the 49ers’ receiving depth.
Former Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals receiver Jaron Brown is being brought in for a workout to help a receiving corps that is also without Deebo Samuel (foot), Richie James Jr. (wrist) and Travis Benjamin (COVID-19 opt out). Veterans Tavon Austin and J.J. Nelson were signed Saturday.
“It is a torn ACL, just a straight ACL, nothing more to it, nothing else involved,” Hendrickson said. “Just a torn ACL. So an easy fix. Probably will get it done in a couple weeks and then he’ll be good to go by next offseason.
Hurd’s potential took on mythical proportions over the past year, at least among the 49ers’ fan base, as he rehabilitated a stress fracture in his back, sustained last August. Henrickson projected Hurd as one of the 49ers’ top two wide receivers for the coming season, having worked hard in an offseason devoid of team workouts because of COVID-19 precautions.
“I don’t know how related it is to guys being off for six months and what not. I know a lot of guys got hurt today around the league,” Hendrickson said. “It (stinks) for Jalen. He’s bummed out about it, like he should be. Now he’s going to pick up the pieces and get back after it, like he will.”
Kendrick Bourne, Dante Pettis and Trent Taylor have lined up with the first-string unit in the first couple practices of camp, perhaps based on their seniority among a youth-laden corps that includes promising rookies Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. Samuel, last year’s rookie star, is recovering from June foot surgery and could miss the opening games.
With no Jalen Hurd again, Shanahan will be looking for WR help and could come from rookie 7th-rounder Jauan Jennings. “Jauan is a decent comparison. He is big and has the (just-be-physical) mentality.)”
Shanahan noted that Jennings is a decent comparison to Hurd. “He is big and has the (get physical) mentality,” Shanahan said. “It definitely is harder for rookies missing (offseason workouts). They want to go out and compete but they’re spinning. It’s going to be key for him and others in these short practices how key they can get.”
Hurd figured to contribute in a variety of roles, and he impressed teammates leading into camp. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey described Hurd’s physical presence last week as “6-4, 240 (pounds) and built in a lab.”
Hurd was drafted in the third round last year out of Baylor, where he transferred from Tennessee to transition from running back to wide receiver.
He produced two touchdown catches in last year’s exhibition opener against the Dallas Cowboys but was shut down after a cameo in the ensuing exhibition at Denver. He went on injured reserve in October after his back did not improve.
