UPDATE (11:53 a.m.): Spencer seemed shocked when I asked him if surgery was being considered. He said the injury is not at all serious and that he's been told he's day-to-day. He's not on crutches and he said he's doing a little more every day. So, in talking with him, it sounds like surgery will not be needed and there's no risk of him being lost for the season. (Still, trust me, the 49ers are very, very concerned).
* * *
Here is the original report from this morning:
Cornerback
Shawntae Spencer's left knee injury in the fourth quarter is a major reason for
concern. Niners coach Mike Nolan has already ruled out Spencer for the game,
but now we find out it could be a season-ender.
While the exact
nature of Spencer's injury is not known, he and the 49ers are mulling surgery. If
Spencer undergoes surgery, he will be out for the season, a club spokesman
confirmed. (Hopefully, more information will be available later in the day.)
Spencer is
the 49ers' No. 3 corner behind starters Nate Clements and Walt Harris. He has
three tackles in two games, a sign that not many balls have been completed on
him. Spencer had a strong training camp and is playing well. He also has two
special-teams tackles.
Spencer was
a second-round draft pick in 2004. He started 39 games his first three seasons.
He lost his starting job a year ago when the 49ers signed Clements as a free
agent. He played in 11 games last season before missing the final five games
with a quad injury.
In 2006,
Spencer signed a contract extension through the 2012 season that included a $6
million signing bonus.
The 49ers kept 11 defensive backs on their 53-man roster. Behind Clements and Harris, the 49ers have reserve corners Donald Strickland, Tarell Brown, Marcus Hudson, Reggie Smith and Allen Rossum.
* * *
From the pages of today's Press Democrat, "O'Sullivan not a surprise to Kitna and Marinelli" and "Sims to shoulder load with Jennings out."
* * *
Comments | Add Comment
Posted By: Joe with TV Question (19/09/2008 10:54:22 AM)
Comment: I looked at your coverage map and it looks like the Second Game of CBS's doubleheader is being blacked out here...How do they decide that? It looks like the same setup as last Sunday..Raiders early game....Niners late game...CBS Doubleheader game and we got the San Diego-Denver game. What's the difference?
Response: There can be no games opposite the 49ers and Raiders in this market. --Matt M.
Posted By: Marc - NJ49er (18/09/2008 8:34:54 PM)
Comment: Call me curious, but does IR get used for guys they really don't want to pay? Alex and Shawntae have freakish season ending issues that neither guy really felt was too serious? Sounds like a roster tweaking function to me? IR Jennings while you're at it and get an OT that can tolerate some contact and play through some Boo-Boos.
Response: Players such as Smith and Spencer would get their entire salary if they're placed on IR. Smith has a fractured shoulder. He knows it's serious. Spencer is probably in a bit of denial right now. --Matt M.
Posted By: mike in MD (18/09/2008 5:39:41 PM)
Comment: Did I miss something here? Did the X-rays show any ligament damage?? That should be the final say so if it's serious or not correct? If the X-rays concluded by the Doctor don't show any tears then it should be that straight forward & nothing serious at all. Just R&R & follow the Doctor's orders until the strain has fully healed. Thank goodness & what a huge relief that he's going to be alright. Spencer's a big part of our secondary..he should be up for the running to take Walt's #2 spot that should be opening up down the line.
Posted By: NINERMD (18/09/2008 5:30:05 PM)
Comment: A LITTLE OFF SUBJECT. DID ANYONE ELSE RANK THE FRANCHISES ON ESPN.COM? WHAT A JOKE COWGIRLS 1 STEELERS 2 9ERS 3. POPULARITY CONTEST. ONLY UNDEFEATED TEAM IN THE SUPERBOWL,DOMINATED THIS LEAGUE FOR TWO STRAIGHT DECADES, FIRST TO REACH FIVE, HAD THE GREATEST QB AND RECEIVER IN FOOTBALL HISTORY. AND FINALLY WAS RESPONSABLE FOR THE LONG DOWNFALL OF THE COWGIRLS. AGAIN A POPULARITY CONTEST. AND THE BIGGER JOKE IS THE STEELERS ARE SECOND. HA HA HAAAAAAAA.
Posted By: Erica (18/09/2008 5:17:48 PM)
Comment: Kind of crazy that Bruce already has a record with the Niners. First game, zero catches. Second game, new 49er record.
Glad the old man's on board.
Response: I've been informed by team historian Donn Sinn that Bruce's record of 38.3 yards per catch is a single-game AWAY record. The overall record is held by Jerry Rice (4-156) at 39.0, Nov. 9, 1986, vs. the St. Louis Cardinals. --Matt M.
Posted By: ska (18/09/2008 3:05:41 PM)
Comment: I am glad to hear it does not appear serious. In fact he is not even on crutches? Sounds like he could play this weekend if he needed to. I don't care how many DBs they have on the roster losing Spencer would be a major blow.
Posted By: Matt R (18/09/2008 12:20:23 PM)
Comment: Miscommunications happen all the time, but something like this that is confirmed by a team's spokesman but the player himself had no clue about... that seems odd. Would there be a reason that the team would have any information about his injury that Shawntae Spencer would not?
Posted By: Josh in SB (18/09/2008 12:17:55 PM)
Comment: Is it just me, or does it seem like this happens a lot under Nolan? Matt, does it seem like Nolan tends to say things to you and others in the media before informing the players themselves, or is this just my misguided perception?
Posted By: Shawne Merriman (18/09/2008 12:01:26 PM)
Comment: Injury? What injury?
Posted By: Dirk (18/09/2008 11:57:49 AM)
Comment: If Spencer goes on IR, repeat if, we can sign someone else. Our biggest need from a numbers point of view is T. Which Tackles are available? Toledo from our PS. Anyone else?
Posted By: Dino (18/09/2008 11:56:25 AM)
Comment: It seems that Spencer cannot stay healthy for an entire season since he's been here. Let's hope surgery is not needed.
Matt, besides
Posted By: sandip (18/09/2008 11:55:54 AM)
Comment: damn.. hate to see this kid go down.. he showed flashes of being a defensive spark, if not playmaker.
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