The fear is that left guard Ben Bartch suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Bears on Sunday
The San Francisco 49ers offensive line was the driving force behind the 38 points on the scoreboard on Sunday against the Chicago Bears. Brock Purdy was only sacked once, while the backs ran for over 130 yards.
During the previous couple of games, left guard Ben Bartch has arguably been the best offensive lineman, filling in for a concussed Aaron Banks at left guard. But Bartch left with an apparent ankle injury midway through the first quarter. Spencer Burford filled in for Bartch, who did not return.
After the game, Kyle Shanahan said the team believes Bartch suffered a high-ankle sprain. That’s a brutal blow to a player who had performed well in Banks’s absence. At this point in the season, a high-ankle sprain effectively ends Bartch’s season.
We’ll see if Banks clears the concussion protocol as the 49ers play Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams. If not, it’ll be up to Burford. It’ll be telling, for both players, who the team elects to start in a pivotal game.
Rookie running back Isaac Guerendo has a foot injury, but the 49ers are unclear about the specifics. Shanahan said Guerendo’s X-Ray didn’t show anything, although theredep is suspicion that Guerendo suffered a foot sprain. The 49ers will know more on Monday, but they could be without their top three running backs and top two guards heading into Thursday night.