The San Francisco 49ers were dealt a blow on Tuesday when they placed linebacker Patrick Willis on season-ending injured reserve.
CSNBayArea.com reported that Willis, who has not played since Oct. 13, would be placed on IR and have surgery on his left big toe next week.
This is a huge loss for the Niners as Willis is a seven-time Pro Bowler and the heart-and-soul of the defense.
In addition to Willis being out, Pro-Bowl linebacker, NaVorro Bowman, has not played at all this season after he tore his ACL and MCL last January. The 49ers defense will at least have linebacker Aldon Smith back this Sunday against the New York Giants.
The Niners are 5-3 and currently in third place in NFC West, which seems to be a one-team division right now. If the 49ers want any chance of making the playoffs the team will have to keep pace with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Seahawks are also apparently dealing with the season-ending injury bug. According to ESPN, sources have said that nose tackle Brandon Mebane, who tore his hamstring in Sunday’s win against the Giants, is out for the remainder of the season. So far, Pete Carroll’s team has not commented.
No one will find any pity from the other two teams in the division though. Each had to deal with season-ending injuries to key players as well. The St. Louis Rams have been without quarterback Sam Bradford for the entire year and after missing a few games, quarterback Carson Palmer returned to the Arizona Cardinals, but tore his ACL.