It's only early June, but the injury bug has already arrived in Santa Clara.
Two 49ers, offensive lineman Justin Skule and defensive back Tarvarius Moore, suffered significant injuries during Monday's OTAs session. Skule tore his ACL, while Moore tore his Achilles, according to the team, likely ending the season for both of them.
The club reportedly canceled Tuesday's OTAs session in the wake of the injuries and will instead do a team-building activity, per The Mercury News.
San Francisco was decimated by health issues in 2020, losing Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Bosa and many others throughout a season that ultimately fell significantly short of expectations. Such outcomes drove the 49ers to trade up to select quarterback Trey Lance in April's draft.
San Francisco wasn't exactly depending on Skule to be a starting offensive lineman, but his injury hurts the 49ers' depth up front. The same is true for Moore, who was slotted in behind safety Jimmie Ward in San Francisco's secondary.
Fortunately for the 49ers, it's June, meaning there's still time to find and acquire replacements.
Elsewhere around the NFL on Tuesday:
- Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer said quarterback Trevor Lawrence experienced some hamstring tightness today, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. Meyer added that trainers were working on him but Lawrence should be fine by Thursday; the Jags are off Wednesday.
- The New Orleans Saints converted cornerback Marshon Lattimore‘s $10.2 million fifth-year option to a $990K base salary and the rest in a roster bonus with voidable years, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The two parties will keep working on an extension. The Saints announced the signing of their entire 2021 draft class to four-year contracts: defensive end Payton Turner (No. 28), linebacker Pete Werner (No. 60), cornerback Paulson Adebo (No. 76), quarterback Ian Book (No. 133), offensive tackle Landon Young (No. 206) and receiver Kawaan Baker (No. 255).
- The Arizona Cardinals announced Tuesday the signing of first-round pick Zaven Collins to his rookie contract. A product of Tulsa, Collins was selected 16th overall.
- The Baltimore Ravens signed guard Michael Schofield. Coach John Harbaugh told reporters that newly-signed offensive lineman Ja'Wuan James (Achilles) could "possibly" return in November or December, per ESPN. "We'll just see what happens," he said. "It's always good to add another good player who is a really good person and hard-working guy."
- The Green Bay Packers are expected to sign linebacker De'Vondre Campbell to a one-year deal, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported. Green Bay also hosted quarterback Jake Dolegala at minicamp as a tryout player, Pelissero added. Not present at Tuesday's minicamp, along with Aaron Rodgers, were four players absent due to COVID-19 protocols: Za'Darius Smith, Preston Smith, Dean Lowry and Elgton Jenkins. Receiver Davante Adams was present and in uniform but not participating much in drills.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians told reporters that tight end O.J. Howard is "really close" to returning to practice, as he fully recovers from last year's season-ending Achilles injury. Arians added receiver Antonio Brown (knee) is about two weeks away from returning to practice. Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was held out of Tuesday's practice due to a wrist issue. First-round rookie linebacker Joe Tryon also returned to the field after sitting out rookie minicamp with a knee injury. Tampa signed second-round quarterback Kyle Trask to his four-year rookie contract.
- The Minnesota Vikings signed cornerback Amari Henderson.
- The Atlanta Falcons have five players at minicamp as tryouts: DL Miles Brown, LB Sharif Finch, LB Jeff Holland, OL Wyatt Miller and WR Jaleel Scott.
- The Seattle Seahawks signed receiver Travis Toivonen. Defensive back Ryan Neal, who played in 13 games (four starts) in 2020, signed his exclusive right tender.