49ers’ G Mike Iupati has sprained knee, no surgery needed
By Corey Leahy
Mike Iupati, left guard for the San Francisco 49ers, suffered a sprained left knee in the team’s tough loss to the New Orleans Saints.
According to Sports Illustrated,
"Iupati was injured and carted off this field in the third quarter in the team’s 23-20 loss when running backFrank Gore was tackled into the back of Iupati’s leg.An MRI this week showed that he suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament that is expected not to require surgery, according to the report."
A sprained left knee means that Iupati could be back on the field soon, rather than missing the whole season with something much worse, like a torn ligament. As of right now, if Iupati can’t play for the team on Sunday when they take on the Redskins, San Francisco will likely look to veteran Adam Snyder to take his place.
Via Janie McCauley of the Associated Press,
"“Mike’s a great player, a Pro Bowl player,” running back Frank Gore said Wednesday. “He helps out our running game a lot, but Snyder is a vet player. He’s been playing since he was a rookie. He’ll be fine. But we will miss Mike. I think Snyder can come in and play.”"