It’s a small miracle the 2019 San Francisco 49ers reached the Super Bowl after posting a surprising 13-3 regular-season record and securing the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC.
Why? Well, the Niners dealt with a rash of injuries over the course of the year.
Tight end George Kittle missed multiple games with ribs and ankle injuries. Both starting tackles, Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey, missed extensive time with respective injuries. Center Weston Richburg and defensive tackle D.J. Jones both landed on season-ending injured reserve. Safeties Jimmie Ward and Jaquiski Tartt both missed time, too.