49ers left guard Mike Iupati was carted to the locker room and almost immediately ruled out of Sunday’s loss to the Saints, a series of events that can often precede the announcement of a season-ending injury.
Iupati appears to have avoided that fate, although the 49ers are likely going to have to play without him for a little bit. Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that Iupati suffered a sprained MCL when running back Frank Gore rolled up the back of his leg at the end of a running play in the third quarter of the game.
An MRI was done on Monday and that should provide the 49ers more insight as to the severity of the sprain. There are three grades of MCL sprains, each of which carry different timetables for a return to work. Iupati’s timetable is unknown, but Barrows reports it is likely that Iupati will miss at next Monday’s game against Washington.
Adam Snyder replaced Iupati against the Saints and would likely be the starter for an offense struggling to find its way as long as Iupati’s out.