June 25, 2026, 9:45 a.m. ET
The San Francisco 49ers have been no strangers to injury issues over the past few seasons – and the outcome of their 2026 campaign could drastically shift either way for the franchise depending on their health.
Last season, injuries plagued the team throughout the year. But despite that, the 49ers still proved to be a playoff-worthy team, finishing the regular season with a 12-5 record to earn their fourth trip to the postseason in the past five years. They would then advance to the NFC Divisional Round, but NFC West rival and the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks eliminated them in a rout. But what is the ceiling – and what is the floor – for the 49ers in 2026?
Ceiling: 14-3
The 49ers have consistently been one of the most talented teams in the league in recent seasons. They’ve won 12 or more games in four of their last seven seasons and made two Super Bowl trips during that time. Last year saw injuries riddle the team – Brock Purdy, George Kittle, and Nick Bosa were all among the stars that missed significant time due to injury – and they still made the postseason. If they keep their crucial pieces healthy, there’s no reason this isn’t a 14-win team.
Floor: 8-9
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Injuries have consistently been a problem, and there is no guarantee they won’t be again. And while last season worked out well enough despite those health setbacks, the previous season saw extensive injuries take their toll – that year, they won just six games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020. This team is talented, but they’re also prone to injuries, which have derailed their seasons in the past. That could happen again.