49ers: Tarron Jackson leaves in ambulance after injury in practice

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers’ practice stopped abruptly on Sunday, approximately 68 minutes after the session began, when defensive end Tarron Jackson fell to the ground and did not get up. In what appeared to be a standard running play, Jackson was being blocked by offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon when he fell. His teammates quickly called for the training staff to come to his aid. Jackson was motionless for a brief moment before moving his hands. His teammates knelt and the team and bench remained silent for the next six minutes, while a stretcher was brought onto the field for Jackson. He was removed from the field approximately seven minutes after the injury, and an ambulance transported him to Stanford Hospital about 21 minutes after the initial fall. According to coach Kyle Shanahan, Jackson was talking and moving his limbs shortly after, which gave hope that he had avoided any serious injury.

You always get scared when someone is stretchered off. He’s conscious, communicating with us, can feel all his limbs, and now they’re taking him to Stanford to begin more tests. So, hopefully, we’ve avoided the really scary stuff.

Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers originally signed Jackson, a fourth-year pro out of Coastal Carolina, to their practice squad in early January. They then signed him to a futures contract after the season. Jackson spent his first three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before splitting last year between the Eagles, Carolina Panthers, and 49ers.

Through the first four practices, Jackson had been working primarily with the third defensive line. After he was taken off the field on Sunday, Shanahan asked his shocked team if they wanted to finish practice.

We were close to him, so we could hear him talking and we could see everything in motion. I told the guys that, which calms them down a bit with the biggest fears and asked them if they were okay to continue. Everyone shouted yes and we finished the last period.

Kyle Shanahan

That, of course, didn’t mean Jackson was far from their minds. Running back Christian McCaffrey, who wasn’t practicing due to a scheduled day off, said these types of incidents are difficult to handle.

It’s never good. You just have to pray for the best in situations like that. It’s definitely a reminder not to take any day for granted. You’re at a practice with no pads and you get carted off. It’s a serious sport and I’m just praying for the best for him.

Christian McCaffrey

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said it’s difficult not to let your mind wander when you’re playing the same sport as the player being carried off on a stretcher.

It’s a little difficult because we all play the same sport. When you see your brother on the ground, you put yourself in his place. We are praying for him and hope everything is okay and that he returns to us safe and sound.

Deommodore Lenoir