Spencer Burford Injury News & Updates
Keep up with the latest injuries from the Panthers vs 49ers game on Monday with our National Football League injury report.Nov 2, 2025
Officially cleared for Week 9
Burford (knee) is active for Sunday's game against the Giants, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford was activated from injured reserve Saturday, and the 2022 fourth-rounder has officially been cleared to return from a six-game absence due to a knee injury. Burford operated as a swing tackle prior to his injury but will start at left guard in his return, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Nov 1, 2025
Could return for Week 9
Burford (knee) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Burford has been sidelined since Week 3 but has been practicing for the last two weeks. He practiced in full all week leading up to Sunday's matchup against the Giants, suggesting he should be in line to return. However, Burford officially remains questionable and his status will not be clear until shortly before kickoff.
Oct 29, 2025
Full participant in practice
Burford (knee) was a full participant in San Francisco's practice Wednesday, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford has been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the Week 2 win over the Saints but is now closer to making his return. The 25-year-old was designated to return from injured reserve on Oct. 22, and he should have a chance to play in Sunday's matchup versus the Giants.
Oct 25, 2025
Ruled out for Week 8
Burford (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Houston.
ANALYSIS
Burford landed on injured reserve in mid-September due to a knee injury he sustained in Week 2 against the Saints. He was designated to return from IR on Wednesday, but he's not quite ready to return to game action after being limited in practice all week. Burford will look to increase his practice participation during the 49ers' Week 9 prep.
Oct 22, 2025
Designated to return off IR
The 49ers designated Burford (knee) to return to practice on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Burford hurt his knee in Week 2 against New Orleans and subsequently landed on IR. He's since missed the required four games and is eligible to be activated when the team deems him ready. Burford logged a limited practice session Wednesday, per Vic Tafur of The Athletic, and it's unclear if he'll be back in action this Sunday versus Houston.
Sep 21, 2025
Lands on IR
Burford (knee) was placed on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Burford suffered a knee injury in the 49ers' Week 2 win over the Saints. He had already been ruled out for Week 3, but will now be sidelined for at least the next four matchups.
Sep 20, 2025
Ruled out for Week 3
Burford (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Cardinals, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford suffered the knee injury in Week 2 against the Saints. He didn't practice in any capacity during the week, so his timeline for a return is unclear.
Sep 15, 2025
Dealing with knee injury
Burford suffered a knee injury in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Saints, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford is considered day-to-day for the time being as the 49ers need to see how the initial healing goes for the 25-year-old. Burford is a reserve option behind Trent Williams at left tackle, which makes his potential absence in Week 3 against the Cardinals carry less of an impact.
May 30, 2025
Returns to the gridiron
Burford (calf) participated in Thursday's organized team activities, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford sustained a calf injury during San Francisco's Week 16 loss to the Dolphins and missed the team's final two games. However, he was spotted participating in Thursday's OTAs, indicating he's since moved past the issue. The fourth-year pro from UTSA is expected to serve as one of the 49ers' top reserve offensive linemen now that he's returned from injury.
Jan 4, 2025
Will end season on IR
The 49ers placed Burford (calf) on injured reserve Saturday.
ANALYSIS
The placement of Burford and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (calf) on IR makes room on the 49ers' active roster for Alex Barrett and DaShaun White, who were both signed off the practice squad Saturday. Burford appeared in 15 regular-season games in 2024 but did not start on the offensive line.
Jan 3, 2025
Won't play Week 18
Burford (calf) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford will miss the last two games of the 2024 regular season due to a calf injury he suffered against the Dolphins in Week 16. The 2022 fourth-round pick most served on special teams this season but did see some snaps on the offensive line due to injuries. Colton McKivitz (knee) and Charlie Heck are expected to start at the two offensive tackle positions in Sunday's regular-season finale.
Dec 28, 2024
Ruled out for Monday Night Football
Burford (calf) won't play in Monday's Week 17 tilt against Detroit, David Lombardi of SFStandard.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford hurt his calf in last Sunday's loss to Miami and didn't practice in any capacity this week. His absence Monday further depletes an injury-riddled 49ers offensive line that may need to turn to recently signed veteran Charlie Heck at left tackle on Monday. Things will be even more dire for San Francisco against the Lions if right guard Colon McKivitz, who is questionable due to a knee issue, can't play.
Dec 23, 2024
Dealing with calf issue
Burford (calf) is awaiting an MRI on a calf injury, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford picked up a calf injury in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins and he's now awaiting an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Burford stepped in at left tackle against Miami when Jaylon Moore (quadriceps) was forced to exit the game. Moore, Trent Williams (ankle), and Aaron Banks (knee) all suffered season-ending injuries in the contest.
Sep 5, 2024
Practices without limitations
Burford (hand) was a full participant in Thursday's practice session, Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford missed all three of the 49ers' preseason games after breaking his hand in late July. He returned to individual drills in mid-August, and the 2022 fourth-round pick looks to be good to go for Monday's regular-season opener against the Jets after practicing in full Thursday. Burford is listed as the backup right guard on the 49ers' depth chart behind Dominick Puni.
Aug 20, 2024
Nearing return to practice
Burford (hand) is expected to return to participate in individual drills at practice this week, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford has been recovering from a broken hand that he suffered in late July, but he appears to be on the cusp of a return to participate in a limited capacity. Once healthy, Burford is expected to operated as a starting offensive guard for San Francisco.
Jul 27, 2024
Suffers broken hand
Burford suffered a broken hand and will be out three to four weeks, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
The possible recovery timeline suggests Burford could be ready at the start of the season. The second-year guard is expected to be a swing guard for an unheralded group of lineman outside of stalwart left tackle Trent Williams.
Dec 21, 2023
Practices Thursday
Burford (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.
ANALYSIS
The starting right guard has missed two straight games but appears ready to return for Monday's matchup with the Ravens. Burford has started all 11 games he's played in this season.
Dec 17, 2023
Remains out
Burford (knee) is inactive Sunday against the Cardinals.
ANALYSIS
Burford will miss his second straight game with the injury, which initially had a day-to-day timeline for recovery. The second-year pro's absence will lead to another start at right guard for Jon Feliciano.
Dec 10, 2023
Won't play versus Seattle
Burford (knee) was ruled inactive ahead of Sunday's game against the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
Burford dealt with a knee injury during Week 14 prep and was deemed doubtful to play on San Francisco's final injury report Friday. The 23-year-old starting right guard's next opportunity to suit up will come Sunday, Dec. 17 versus Arizona. In Burford's absence, veteran Jon Feliciano should step into a starting role against the Seahawks.
Dec 8, 2023
Doubtful to play in Week 14
Burford (knee) is considered doubtful to play Sunday against Seattle, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford was able to play through his injury in the team's win over the Eagles last week, but he now appears to be destined to take a seat in Week 14. If he's unable to go, Jon Feliciano will likely take over as the starting right guard.
Dec 4, 2023
Dealing with new knee issue
Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Burford is day-to-day with a knee injury, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford did not miss any snaps in Sunday's win at Philadelphia, so it's not immediately clear when he picked up the knee issue. Either way, San Francisco's injury reports this week will provide clarity regarding his potential availability for Week 14 versus Seattle.
Dec 1, 2023
Will play at Philadelphia
Burford (ankle) does not carry an injury designation into Sunday's game at Philadelphia, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford will return to action in Week 13 after he sat out of the 49ers' win at Seattle in Week 12. He figures to step back into a starting role at right guard Sunday across from a menacing Eagles defensive line.
Nov 23, 2023
Inactive Thursday
Burford (ankle) will not play in Thursday's game versus the Seahawks, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official website reports.
ANALYSIS
No surprise here, as Burford was a non-participant at practice all week. In his absence, Jon Feliciano is expected to start at right guard.
Dec 9, 2022
Ready to return
Burford (ankle) does not have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Buccaneers, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford was forced to sit out the 49ers' Week 13 win over Miami due to an ankle injury. However, he managed a pair of limited practices during the week, prior to turning in a full session Friday. He will be ready to retake his role as the starting right guard.
Dec 4, 2022
Sidelined Sunday
Burford (ankle) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Dolphins, Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford will now miss his first game of the 2022-23 campaign as a result of the ankle injury he suffered during the Week 12 matchup versus New Orleans. In the rookie's absence, Daniel Brunskill is the likely candidate to earn a starting spot on San Fransisco's offensive line this weekend.
Nov 27, 2022
Seen in walking boot
Burford (ankle) was in a walking boot following Sunday's win over the Saints, Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
ANALYSIS
Burford sustained his ankle injury in the second half of Sunday's matchup and was unable to return down the stretch. It's not yet clear whether he'll be available next Sunday against the Dolphins, but Kyle Shanahan said after the game that Burford isn't dealing with a high-ankle sprain, which is an encouraging sign.
Nov 27, 2022
Suffers ankle injury Sunday
Burford hurt his ankle during Sunday's victory against the Saints and didn't return.
ANALYSIS
When Burford was seen exiting the the field in the second half, he was favoring his lower right leg. In the end, the injury was clarified as to his ankle, which now places a cloud over his status for next Sunday's game versus the Dolphins.
Apr 30, 2022
Bay Area bound
The 49ers selected Burford in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 134th overall.
ANALYSIS
The tackle out of UTSA has long arms (34.75) but is light for an NFL tackle at 304 pounds. Burford started 43 games for the Roadrunners and showed plenty of versatility as he played both tackle spots and left guard, with most of his starts at left tackle later in his career. He adds depth behind Trent Williams.
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