End of San Francisco 49ers Season Wrap-Up
Welcome to another episode of Six to Eight Weeks: Perspectives on Sports Medicine! I’m Dr.
Nirav Pandya, joined by Dr. Brian Feeley and Dr. Drew Lansdown. It’s been a tough weekend
for Bay Area sports fans—the Warriors faced a tough loss to the Kings, and the 49ers’ season
ended on a disappointing note with a loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Today, we’re diving into the
key injuries that defined the 49ers’ season and what they mean for the team moving forward.
Injury Insights
Brock Purdy
Dr. Pandya: Brian, let’s start with Brock Purdy. He exited the game on December 30th against
Detroit with a burning sensation in his hand. Given his history of UCL reconstruction, what
concerns do you have when an athlete reports these symptoms?
Dr. Feeley: With UCL injuries, the ulnar nerve—the “funny bone”—is often involved. After
surgery, it’s not uncommon to have some nerve sensitivity. For Purdy, the burning sensation
likely came from a direct hit to the nerve, causing pain and temporary weakness in his grip. It’s
concerning because of his prior surgery, but long-term, it’s probably a transient issue rather than
something that will significantly impact his career.
Dr. Pandya: Drew, during surgeries like these, are there interventions involving the ulnar nerve?
Dr. Lansdown: Definitely. The nerve and UCL are very close anatomically. Sometimes, if the
nerve is tight or unstable, surgeons can decompress or reposition it. In Purdy’s case, there’s no
evidence of nerve involvement from his initial surgery, so this seems to be an isolated incident.
Christian McCaffrey’s Achilles and PCL
Dr. Pandya: Christian McCaffrey came into the season battling bilateral Achilles tendonitis and
later suffered a PCL injury. Brian, what’s the outlook for a player with non-operative PCL
recovery?
Dr. Feeley: The PCL can heal with bracing because it’s encased in a protective synovium. For
McCaffrey, the concern is more about long-term knee stability. While the PCL should heal well,
his Achilles tendonitis is more worrisome. If he’s still symptomatic by training camp, that could
be a red flag for ongoing performance issues.
Brandon Aiyuk’s ACL and MCL Injuries
Dr. Pandya: Drew, Brandon Aiyuk suffered both ACL and MCL injuries. What’s his recovery
timeline?
Dr. Lansdown: Typically, it’s a nine-to-twelve-month process before players return to
competition. Factors like strength recovery, swelling, or setbacks can affect that timeline.
Aiyuk’s surgery was in November, so he’s likely targeting a return by next season’s start or
shortly thereafter.
Dr. Pandya: Brian, does position impact recovery?
Dr. Feeley: Absolutely. Positions requiring cutting and pivoting, like wide receiver, demand
more recovery time than linemen. For Aiyuk, I’d say returning by early September would be an
excellent outcome.
Dre Greenlaw’s Achilles Recovery
Dr. Pandya: Greenlaw returned from an Achilles injury but experienced calf and knee issues.
Drew, what can we expect in his second season post-Achilles repair?
Dr. Lansdown: Year two is often when athletes hit their stride post-Achilles repair. This
offseason will be critical for him to rebuild strength and conditioning. Assuming no setbacks,
he’s poised for a strong comeback.
Dr. Feeley: The improvement in surgical techniques and extended recovery timelines have
changed the outlook for Achilles injuries. Players like Greenlaw are benefitting from less
invasive procedures and more strategic rehab.
Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams: Wear and Tear
Dr. Pandya: Debo Samuel and Trent Williams are managing cumulative injuries. Brian, do
these add up over time?
Dr. Feeley: It depends. Chronic injuries, like Williams’ recurring ankle sprains, can lead to
structural issues. Meanwhile, Debo’s injuries, like rib contusions and wrist sprains, are less
concerning. Chronic injuries require close monitoring, especially for older players.
Dr. Pandya: Drew, as a team physician, how would you evaluate free agents with these injury
profiles?
Dr. Lansdown: It depends on the injury type. Acute injuries, like rib contusions, are usually
one-offs. Chronic conditions, like ankle instability, might indicate future availability issues. We
balance these risks when making long-term commitments.
Around the League
Dr. Pandya: Drew, what about the Packers? They’ve had some big injuries recently.
Dr. Lansdown: Jordan Love’s ulnar nerve issue should resolve quickly. Christian Watson’s non-
contact knee injury is more concerning; it could be an ACL. If so, he’d likely miss much of next
season.
Super Bowl Predictions
Dr. Pandya: Since we can’t pick the 49ers, who are your Super Bowl favorites?
Dr. Feeley: I’m sticking with the Chiefs. Mahomes finds a way to win.
Dr. Lansdown: I’m going with the Lions. They’re looking strong this year.
Dr. Pandya: I’ll back Jared Goff and the Lions, keeping a Bay Area and Marin County
connection in the mix.
Thanks for tuning in to Six to Eight Weeks! Catch us on your favorite platforms—Spotify,
Amazon, Google Podcasts—and visit us at six2eightweekspodcast.com. See you next time!
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