San Francisco 49ers Roster, Injury News 2017: Joe Staley Diagnosed With Fractured Orbital Bone
San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Joe Staley will have to miss some games in the coming weeks after he sustained a right eye injury in the second quarter of their 33–10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
Staley got the gash below his right eye after defensive tackle Fletcher Cox blocked him during an interception return by Eagles cornerback Jalen Mills. Interestingly, a 49ers lineman has accused Cox of foul play, per the Mercury News.
After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that Staley had to go to a local hospital for x-rays, and he had to get the orbital bone around his right eye checked.
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"I think they took him to look at his orbital. It was really swollen up and you could see at halftime he had no chance to get back in. I know he was trying to do everything he could but he was definitely way too hurt," Shanahan said, via 247Sports.
However, Shanahan said he couldn't confirm it was a fractured orbital bone.
"I'm not sure, they were taking him to look at it. I know the swelling and stuff that that was a possibility. They told me they had to go look at it, but that's what I was told at halftime and haven't found out since," he stated.
Well, Staley happened to be on the same flight with several 49ers beat writers who were on their way back to San Francisco and he confirmed that he has sustained an orbital fracture. However, he didn't reveal the timeline for his recovery.
The gash below his eye obviously required stitches, but the good news is that he's not required to undergo surgery, so he won't be on the shelf for long. Staley also noted that he believes that a "cheap shot" from Cox caused the injury.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the league is reviewing the play and Cox could be disciplined for the hit.
