The Kyle Shanahan era in San Francisco is defined not only by success, but by survival.
Since he arrived as head coach in February 2017, 49ers players have missed 2,036 total games due to injury, the most of any NFL team during that span.
Injuries have hit nearly every position.
Injuries are a part of the game but #49ers
DEFENSE
DL NIck Bosa
LB Fred Warner
DL Bryce Huff
DL Yetur Gross-Matos
and then today
DL Jordan Elliott
DL Sam Okuayinonu
LB Dee Winters
OFFENSE
QB Brock Purdy
WR Ricky Pearsall
OL Ben Bartch
C Jake Brendel
WR Brandon Aiyuk
— Jennifer Lee Chan -all platforms: @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) October 26, 2025
Even with another wave of major names sidelined — from All-Pros like Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to quarterback Brock Purdy and leading receiver Brandon Aiyuk — the 49ers continue to find ways to compete.
The New York Giants, whom the 49ers face in Week 9 next Sunday, rank second in games missed due to injury over that span, with 2,012. With a 2-6 record this NFL season, their roster is already battling on two fronts.
Behind them, storied franchises like the New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks find themselves further down the list, joined by the Washington Commanders, New York Jets, Detroit Lions, New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts.
Despite years of roster disruption, Shanahan has guided San Francisco to multiple postseason runs and two Super Bowl appearances during his tenure.
Their consistency in the face of sustained attrition has become one of the defining characteristics of the Kyle Shanahan era — a reminder that the 49ers have remained among the NFL’s contenders even when availability isn’t on their side.
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