The San Francisco 49ers have had some horrendous injury luck to start their 2025 season, with quarterback Brock Purdy and tight end George Kittle both suffering injuries in Week 1, which will significantly impact their offensive performance until they return.

Unfortunately, this trend has continued for San Francisco, as they’ve placed starting left guard Ben Bartch on injured reserve after he suffered an ankle injury during the team’s Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints at Caesars Superdome on Sunday.

Bartch, 27, spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who took him in the fourth round (No. 116 overall) of the 2020 NFL draft after he was All-MIAC twice at Saint John’s (MN). He signed with the 49ers in 2023 and appeared in eight games for the team in his first two years. He entered this year as the starting left guard, but now he’ll miss at least four weeks.

To fill his spot on the active roster, the 49ers have promoted tight end Brayden Willis. The 25-year-old played at Oklahoma from 2018-22, earning All-Big 12 honors once before the 49ers took him in the seventh round (No. 247 overall) of the 2023 NFL draft. Over the last three years, he’s appeared in 18 games, but he’s yet to record a reception. He’ll be the third tight end on the roster with Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges until Kittle returns.

With an open spot on the practice squad, San Francisco has signed old friend Brandon Parker after a successful tryout. The 29-year-old was a third-round pick (No. 65 overall) of the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2018 NFL draft. After six years there, the offensive tackle spent the 2024 offseason with the 49ers and spent the rest of the year with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s appeared in 59 games in his career, starting 33. This should provide more depth at offensive tackle, with Trent Williams and Spencer Burford both dealing with injuries.

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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers place another starter on IR, promote TE, add new OL
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect