San Francisco 49ers veteran center Weston Richburg was down and injured, holding his right leg in his team's Week 14 matchup with the New Orleans Saints. Richburg, 28, was reportedly carted off the field and replace by backup Ben Garland, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner on Twitter.
Cart coming out for Richburg now. Ben Garland coming in at center.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) December 8, 2019
The 6-foot-4, six-year veteran offensive lineman Richburg initially signed a five-year contract with the 49ers prior to the 2018 NFL season. He started his professional career with the New York Giants, who selected him in the second round of the 2014 draft. After four years with the Giants, Richburg left the east coast for the Bay Area.
Prior to the 2019 season, offensive line coach John Benton expressed optimism in Weston's leadership at center, pointing to how valuable his team sees the Colorado State product in protecting franchise quarterback Jimmy Garopolo.
“I was really proud of Weston, how he sucked it up and played for the team the whole year, but you could tell there was more in the tank there. Particularly from the run game standpoint, the center is what makes it go for us. With the skills he showed before he got hurt, you saw why we brought him here. We can really benefit from a healthy Weston Richburg.”
The 49ers are locked in a barn burner with the Saints in the Super Dome, with two 10-2 teams search for an edge in the top-heavy NFC playoffs.
Without Richburg at center, however, the Niners are at a disadvantage. For now, though, it's unclear how serious the leg injury is to Richburg, who will be monitored starting today.
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