49ers include power plant in evaluating injury issues
The San Francisco 49ers aren't leaving any stone unturned as they search for a solution to their injury issues.
That includes investigating a conspiracy theory linking a nearby electrical substation to the rash of ailments.
General manager John Lynch confirmed at Wednesday's end-of-season press conference that the power plant's potential influence will be investigated.
"Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything," Lynch said. "We've been reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means? That's what we know exists. We've heard that debunked.
"... The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority. We pore into it. Our ownership, Jed (York) is tremendous in terms of resources, and we'll always be cognizant of things. I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility since it opened, but yeah, we aren't going to turn a blind eye."
The 49ers have trained in Santa Clara, Calif., since the late 1980s. A nearby substation operated by Silicon Valley Power was expanded when Levi's Stadium -- the site of next month's Super Bowl LX -- opened in 2014, according to ESPN.
A viral theory making the rounds on the internet suggests that San Francisco's injuries could at least partly be related to excessive exposure to EMFs, or electromotive forces, from the power station.
As Lynch mentioned, the theory has been shot down by many doctors and scientists.
The theory has gained traction inside the locker room, however, with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne referencing it after star tight end George Kittle's recent Achilles injury. The 49ers also lost defensive stars Nick Bosa (torn ACL) and Fred Warner (broken) ankle to season-ending injuries this season, while quarterback Brock Purdy missed half the season with a toe injury.
A total of 20 players spent time on an injured reserve list this season for the 49ers, accounting for more than $95 million in adjusted annual value on their contracts, according to the OverTheCap.
"The fact of the matter is injuries are a part of this game," Lynch said. "What we strive to do is never to eliminate injuries, but to mitigate injuries. And I think we have a lot of good processes. We'll challenge them all. And that process has begun. It never frankly stopped. But yes, we'll look at everything, and we'll examine everything."