Ben Bartch‘s season has ended early. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed today that the guard has a foot sprain that will land him on IR and end his season, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
While subsequent tests will reveal more details, the organization believes Bartch suffered a Lisfranc injury. Shanahan told reporters that he isn’t confident the offensive lineman will be able to return in time for the postseason (per Barrows).
Bartch suffered the injury during the third quarter of yesterday’s win over the Browns. Spencer Burford filled in at left guard for the rest of the contest and will likely serve as the team’s starter for the remainder of the season. Fortunately for the 49ers, the coaching staff has been alternating between Bartch and Burford at the position throughout the campaign, so the fill-in has plenty of familiarity playing alongside the first-team offense. Matt Hennessy will likely slide into the backup LG role moving forward.
This is a disappointing development for Bartch, whose 2024 campaign ended early thanks to a high ankle sprain. That same injury forced Bartch to miss a handful of games earlier this season.
A former fourth-round pick, Bartch spent the first three-plus seasons of his career in Jacksonville, where he started 20 of his 41 appearances. He joined the 49ers during the 2023 campaign and has generally served as a reserve lineman for the franchise. In two-plus seasons with the 49ers, Bartch has started four of his 14 appearances.
My kid got this from a trampoline he was off his foot for 8 weeks no surgery tho thankfully