So, the 49ers were once again in the top five for adjusted games lost in 2025. Yeah, *that* team. FTN Fantasy just released their chapters, and while 115 games lost was an 'improvement' from 141.2 in 2024, their metrics still can't explain the full nightmare that hit San Francisco last season. It's more than just raw numbers when we're talking about our rivals to the south.
When Your All-Pros Go Down, Everything Changes
FTN's adjusted games lost (AGL) metrics are supposed to be more accurate, right? They account for injuries to starters and key reserves, even players not at 100%. But here’s the kicker: AGL doesn't differentiate between a regular starter and an *All-Pro* like Nick Bosa, George Kittle, or Fred Warner. And guess what? All three of those guys missed significant time in 2025. When your team is literally structured around All-Pros, their absence changes *everything*. It's impossible to quantify losing three of your most impactful players. The Niners also got absolutely hammered at specific positions. Their edge rushers racked up a league-high 28.5 AGL, and their wide receivers were second only to the Buccaneers with 27.1 AGL. We're talking about them being down to third-stringers and free agents at crucial positions. That kind of widespread hit cripples a team way more than just a starter or two missing time.Preseason Pain That Lingered and Forced Trades
What’s even wilder is that FTN’s AGL data doesn’t even account for preseason injuries. And the 49ers had a *ton* of those that went unaddressed, creating problems that lasted deep into the season. Dominick Puni's preseason injury lingered for a month and a half. Mac Jones sprained an ankle in the preseason and missed time. Jaco Cowing, Trent Taylor, Corey Kiner, Jordan James, and Patrick Taylor all sat out games because of it. Seriously, pick a position, and the Niners probably had an injury. They even had to trade for Brian Robinson and Skyy Moore because they just didn't have enough healthy bodies at wideout and running back. It’s no surprise they went out and drafted a wide receiver and an edge rusher first to try and build some actual depth for their backups. This whole situation shows that while the 49ers' overall injury rates in 2025 might not have been "historically extraordinary" on paper, the team was in a truly unique and ever-evolving pre-season mess. They've made some moves to address their depth, but we'll be watching closely as the next season kicks off to see if *this* time, they've actually fixed the problem.This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.