The San Francisco 49ers‘ preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders took an unexpected turn when their prized offseason acquisition, Leonard Floyd, limped off the field. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, the sight of their new defensive end hobbling to the sidelines sent shockwaves through Niner Nation.

Floyd, who inked a two-year, $20 million deal with the 49ers in March, went down late in the first quarter. The medical staff quickly surrounded him, examining his right leg. As reported by David Lombardi, Floyd “limps off on the second series after the 49ers’ medical staff spent some time looking at his right leg.” The Ironman streak of 108 consecutive games played now hangs in the balance.

This potential setback couldn’t come at a worse time for San Francisco. The 49ers brought Floyd on board to shore up their pass rush and address a glaring weakness against outside runs. Fox Sports highlighted the 49ers’ struggles against outside runs in the playoffs last season, with the team allowing a staggering 7.8 yards per carry. This glaring weakness was second only to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 9.4 yards allowed per carry on such plays, according to Next Gen Stats.

Floyd’s impact was expected to be immediate and significant. 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek praised Floyd’s versatility, saying in June, “He’s done a lot over his career. And then anytime you plug in the tape on him, he’s always been a productive player, whether it’s been rushing the passer or in the run game, the relentlessness he plays the game with, he’s always pursuing the ball.”

The 31-year-old pass rusher was set to be a key cog in the 49ers’ defensive machine. His 10.5 sacks last season with the Buffalo Bills matched a career-high, positioning him as the perfect complement to Nick Bosa. Now, as Floyd heads to the locker room for further evaluation, the 49ers’ carefully crafted plans for defensive dominance may need some hasty recalibration.

Balancing preparation and preservation

Floyd’s injury raises questions about the wisdom of playing key contributors in preseason games. The 49ers’ approach to these exhibition matches now faces scrutiny.

While preseason games offer valuable reps and help coaches evaluate talent, they also carry inherent risks. Floyd’s case is particularly perplexing given his durability. As Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area points out, “Floyd is slated to be a big part of San Francisco’s pass rush after signing a two-year, $20 million contract in the offseason. He tied his career high with 10.5 sacks as a member of the Bills last year.”

The 49ers’ defensive strategy heavily relied on Floyd’s presence. His ability to contain mobile quarterbacks was a key factor in his signing. As Floyd himself explained back in June, “You know how the fox hunts the rabbit, and he waits on the rabbit? That’s basically how you got to rush those guys. You’ve got to be the fox.”

Now, the 49ers find themselves in a fox-less scenario, potentially scrambling to adjust their defensive game plan. The injury to Floyd, coupled with the ongoing contract holdouts of Trent Williams and Brandon Aiyuk, paints a concerning picture for San Francisco as the regular season looms.

Despite the injury setback, the 49ers managed to maintain their lead at halftime. NBC Sports reported, “HALFTIME: 49ers 17, Raiders 14. We’re at the break at Allegiant Stadium, with the 49ers still in front after their fast start.” This scoreline suggests that the team has shown resilience in the face of adversity, but the true test will come in the regular season if Floyd’s injury proves serious.

Adding to the 49ers’ concerns, Floyd wasn’t the only defensive end to suffer an injury during the game. Yetur Gross-Matos also went down with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to return. This double blow to the defensive line underscores the risks associated with preseason play and may force the 49ers to reassess their depth at the position.

For a team with championship aspirations, every snap – even in preseason – carries weighty consequences. The coming days will be crucial as the team evaluates Floyd’s status and potentially adjusts its defensive strategy for the season opener.