49ers: Tarron Jackson Leaves in Ambulance After Worrying Injury

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The San Francisco 49ers’ Sunday practice was abruptly halted when defensive end Tarron Jackson fell to the ground and did not get up. The incident occurred approximately 68 minutes into the training session. During a running play, Jackson was being blocked by offensive tackle Isaac Alarcon when he collapsed. His teammates quickly called for medical assistance. Jackson was motionless for a brief moment before moving his hands.

His teammates knelt and the team, along with those on the sidelines, observed a moment of silence for six minutes. A stretcher was brought onto the field for Jackson, who was removed approximately seven minutes after the injury.

An ambulance transported him to Stanford Hospital about 21 minutes after the initial fall. Coach Kyle Shanahan reported that Jackson was talking and moving his limbs shortly after the incident, which generated hope that he did not suffer a serious injury.

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

Kyle Shanahan

The 49ers signed Jackson, a fourth-year professional from Coastal Carolina, to their practice squad in early January. Then, they offered him a future contract after the season. Jackson played his first three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles before splitting last year between the Eagles, the Carolina Panthers, and the 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 visibly affected team if they wanted to end practice.

We were close to him, so we could hear him talking and we could see everything moving. I told the guys that, which calms them down a little 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

Running back Christian McCaffrey, who was not practicing due to a scheduled day off, commented that such 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 on and you’re getting carted off. It’s a serious sport and I’m just praying for the best for him.

Christian McCaffrey

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir expressed that it’s difficult not to let the mind wander when you play the same sport as the player who is carted 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 a little. We pray for him and hope that everything is okay and that he returns to us safe and sound.

Deommodore Lenoir