SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco defensive lineman Junior Bryant will miss the rest of the season because of a bulging
disc in his neck.
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The 49ers said tests revealed Bryant suffered an "acute disc
bulge" when he fell head-first on the artificial turf at St.
Louis' Trans World Dome on Sept. 17. Last week, the 49ers called
the injury a sprained neck, but an MRI exam revealed further
damage.
Coach Steve Mariucci said Monday that no surgery is planned for
Bryant, and rest is the most important factor in his recovery.
"We have to rest him and keep him in shape, and that's going to
take some time," Mariucci said. "It's a shame, because he's a
leader on this team."
Mariucci said the team hadn't made a roster move in regard to
Bryant yet. The 49ers are expected to place Bryant on injured
reserve this week.
Though Bryant wasn't expected back until later this season, his
loss is another blow to a defense that is already last in the
league in yards passing allowed and total yards allowed.
Now, the 49ers' pass rush will be dependent on All-Pro defensive
tackle Bryant Young and a young, unproven core of linemen including
Brentson Buckner, Anthony Pleasant and Cedric Killings.
"It was a big shock," Young said of Bryant's injury. "It
really hurt. He is a very good friend of mine, and it's tough when
one of your premier players goes down. It's really upsetting for
him."
A veteran defensive end who signed a seven-year contract in
February, Bryant is a team leader and one of the few experienced
players on San Francisco's young roster.
Bryant missed the 49ers' 41-24 victory at Dallas on Sunday, the
first he had missed since signing with San Francisco as a rookie
free agent in 1993. Rookie John Engelberger took Bryant's starting
spot and sacked Troy Aikman once.
Bryant had played in 83 consecutive games.
"It was the first time I had had that kind of sensation through
my whole body," Bryant said of his injury. "After that sensation
kind of left, I felt pretty good."
San Francisco's injury problems on defense don't end with
Bryant. The 49ers also listed safety Zack Bronson (left shoulder
stinger) and linebacker Jeff Ulbrich (right shoulder strain) as
doubtful for Sunday's game against Arizona.
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