The San Francisco 49ers have been beset by injury issues all throughout the 2021 season, and they suffered another significant blow during their Week 9 loss to the division rival Arizona Cardinals. According to a report from ESPN, right tackle Mike McGlinchey tore his quad during the game, and he will miss the remainder of the season.
The 49ers previously lost starters Raheem Mostert and Jason Verrett to season-ending injuries, and have seen each of Jimmy Garoppolo, Trey Lance, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Elijah Mitchell, Dre Greenlaw, Javon Kinlaw, K'Waun Williams, and Jaquiski Tartt (all starters) miss at least one game due to injury as well, with several of them spending time on injured reserve.
The former first-round pick was having another solid season on the right side of the line. At its best, San Francisco's offense is built around its offensive line clearing the way for a strong rushing attack that is complemented by a heavy dose of play-action passing, so McGlinchey's absence could prove especially painful.
McGlinchey was replaced in the lineup on Sunday by journeyman swing tackle Tom Compton -- a former sixth-round pick who has seen extended playing time only once in his career, as part of the overwhelmed Vikings offensive line in 2018.
With the loss to Arizona, the 49ers saw their record drop to 3-5, putting them 4.5 games back of the Cardinals, who own the tiebreaker. They play the 7-2 Rams in Week 10, and if they lose that game, we might see them turn the page from the Garoppolo era and get Lance under center.
