NFL

49ers rookie Gracen Halton ruled out for season with ankle injury

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Nov 9, 2026, 08:12 IST

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Gracen Halton will miss the remainder of his rookie season after suffering a broken ankle during Sunday's victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

49ers rookie Gracen Halton ruled out for season with ankle injury

The San Francisco 49ers have been dealt a significant blow following their 38-17 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, with head coach Kyle Shanahan confirming that rookie defensive tackle Gracen Halton will miss the remainder of the season. The injury, a broken left ankle, occurred late in the fourth quarter when teammate Keion White inadvertently rolled into Halton’s leg.

The incident took place with just over four minutes remaining in the contest. Halton was visibly distressed as medical staff attended to him on the field, eventually placing his ankle in an air cast before transporting him to the locker room via cart. The loss of the fourth-round draft pick out of Oklahoma marks a premature end to a promising debut campaign that saw him start six of his eight appearances, recording 15 tackles, two sacks, and five tackles for loss.

A significant loss for the 49ers defensive rotation

Reflecting on the rookie's impact, Shanahan praised Halton’s contributions throughout the season. The coach noted that the defensive tackle had been performing at a high level and expressed that the team would feel his absence on the field. Veteran defensive end Nick Bosa echoed these sentiments, highlighting the energy and personality the young player brought to the defensive unit.

The injury concerns for San Francisco extended beyond Halton during Sunday’s win. Starting cornerbacks Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green also exited the game with foot and back injuries, respectively. Both players sustained their injuries late in the match, with Green’s occurring during a fourth-quarter interception. Shanahan indicated that the team is awaiting further medical evaluations to determine the severity of these setbacks and their potential impact on availability for upcoming fixtures.

Roster management ahead of the trade deadline

The timing of these injuries adds a layer of complexity for the 49ers front office as they approach Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline. While the team has already acquired veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from the Indianapolis Colts, the recent health concerns in the secondary and on the defensive line have left the roster thin. By the conclusion of Sunday’s game, the team was down to only two healthy cornerbacks, Upton Stout and Ephesians Prysock.

Looking ahead, the coaching staff is monitoring the recovery timelines for several other key players, including Nate Hobbs, who could return from injured reserve as early as next week. Despite the uncertainty, Shanahan confirmed that the organization remains active in exploring potential roster moves. The team is evaluating available options to bolster their depth, though the coach acknowledged the challenges of finding suitable trades in the current market.