Loss more painful than most
49ers lose starters Bowman, an All-Pro, Buckner to injuries
SANTA CLARA — Losing a third straight game was bad enough for the 49ers, but the aftermath could be much worse depending on the severity of lower-leg injuries to defensive starters NaVorro Bowman and DeForest Buckner.
Bowman, an All-Pro linebacker, and Buckner, this year’s top draft pick, got carted to the locker room in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, while the Dallas Cowboys pulled away for a 24-17 victory at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday.
Bowman is feared to have ruptured his left Achilles, based on the video evidence studied by former NFL and San Diego Chargers doctor David Chao, who shared his analysis on Twitter. A team spokesman said the 49ers would wait until MRI exams are done before announcing the extent of any injuries. Coach Chip Kelly offered no medical updates in his postgame press conference.
“It stinks. It’s really, really bad,” 49ers left tackle Joe Staley said. “NaVorro is one of team leaders. We have to have a guy step up and that’s a huge role to fill. You can’t really replace a guy like NaVorro.”
Buckner’s left foot was in an orthopedic boot after the game and he used crutches to enter the training room.
In a brief chat with reporters, Buckner revealed nothing about his injury, which he sustained with 1:45 remaining in the final series; he’s started every game this season.
Bowman got hurt in noncontact fashion, rushing toward the line of scrimmage with six minutes left in the third quarter. His left leg collapsed underneath him, and although he walked off the field with trainers’ assistance, he got carted from the bench after the medical staff evaluated his Achilles and ankle regions — well below his reconstructed knee.
Safety Eric Reid said he initially thought the injury was minor until finding out differently later upon speaking with Bowman. Reid wouldn’t divulge the injury’s nature, but did note that: “The next guy has some big shoes to fill.”
The Cowboys (3-1) seized on Bowman’s exit and finished that drive with a goahead touchdown run by Ezekiel Elliott, giving them a 21-17 lead with 1:08 remaining in the third quarter.
“As you know, Bo is a fighter and All-Pro linebacker,” teammate Ahmad Brooks said. “When we set the edges, he cleans up for us. It seems they were running more (after Bowman’s exit).”
Embattled starting quarterback Blaine Gabbert tried to get the 49ers right back on top, but he underthrew a deep pass to Torrey Smith and had it intercepted by Maurice Claiborne at Dallas’ 7-yard line. It was Gabbert’s overdue, first pass to Smith all game, and he later found Smith on a fourth-and-6 completion … which came up 3 yards short of a first down in the offense’s last gasp.
Said Gabbert: “That’s the way it goes. We were 3 (yards) short. That’s a tough pill to swallow.”
Of Gabbert’s 196 passing yards, only 87 yards came over the final three quarters. Kelly, as he’s maintained all season, said he is not pondering a quarterback switch to Colin Kaepernick.
“No, I thought Blaine played well, to be honest with you, besides that one throw,” said Kelly, referring to the interception.
The 49ers, who were coming off 19-point road loss at both the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks, next host the Arizona Cardinals (1-3) on Thursday night. The Cardinals could be without quarterback Carson Palmer, who sustained a concussion in their loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
For the third straight loss, the 49ers defense allowed over 400 yards, this time 428 to a Cowboys offense missing a slew of injured starters: quarterback Tony Romo, wide receiver Dez Bryant, left tackle Tyron Smith and left guard La’El Collins.
“Their offense started to feel more comfortable against our defense and they were able to drive when they needed,” Brooks said. “We gave up too many yards, and we need to shut that down.”
Touchdowns on their first two series had the 49ers up 14-0, and Gabbert was 7of-9 passing for 109 yards and one touchdown with no sacks, plus a pair of thirddown conversion runs.
Then came the game’s turning point: an questionable, unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty on 49ers safety Jaquiski Tartt to keep alive the Cowboys’ first touchdown drive. While Chris Davis and Ronald Blair had Dak Prescott wrapped up for a third-down sack, Tartt pushed Prescott from behind to the ground.
“I didn’t hear a whistle so I just kept playing,” Tartt said. “I was just pushing him back.”
Three snaps later, Prescott threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Williams, cutting the 49ers’ lead to 14-7 with 2:58 left before halftime. Those were the first points allowed by the 49ers in five-plus quarters at home this season.
Bradley Pinion’s 26-yard punt set up the Cowboys game-tying drive just before halftime, which culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Prescott to Brice Butler, 12 seconds before halftime.
Meanwhile, the 49ers winced, as they’re off to a 1-3 start for the second straight season.
“It’s just something we have to learn from and grow from,” said running back Carlos Hyde (15 carries, 74 yards, one touchdown). “We’ve got a quick turnaround playing (Thursday) against a division opponent, so we have to be ready, and we will be.”