PHOENIX – Following a season marred by a significant number of injuries, the San Francisco 49ers investigated all potential contributing factors, including a widely circulated theory suggesting a power substation near the team’s Levi’s Stadium training facility was negatively impacting player health. General Manager John Lynch has now definitively dismissed that theory, outlining concrete steps the team is taking to mitigate future injury risks.
Speaking at the NFL’s annual league meetings on Sunday, Lynch explained that the 49ers engaged an independent scientist to assess the substation and determine if there was any validity to the claim that it contributed to the team’s injury woes. The findings, according to Lynch, effectively debunked the theory.
“Basically, it turned out to be a whole lot of nothing,” Lynch stated. “We’re in a safe work environment… It’s a normal work environment. It’s a normal gym. We’re safe, we’re healthy, and we feel very comfortable with that.”
The investigation was prompted by concerns that electromagnetic fields emitted from the substation could be impacting player health. The team’s commitment to a thorough review underscores the seriousness with which they are addressing the issue of player safety, particularly after a season that saw key players sidelined with significant injuries.
According to Lynch, the scientist – whose name and affiliation were not disclosed, but who possesses “over 45 years of experience studying electromagnetic fields and their effects” – was granted full access to the team’s facilities. They then used “laboratory-grade equipment” to record electromagnetic emissions and took measurements in all areas frequented by players.
The readings, the 49ers reported, revealed that the facilities’ electromagnetic field levels were 400 times below the threshold considered unsafe for a work environment. The scientist determined that exposure levels within the facility were comparable to those found in a “typical workplace or commercial gym,” and that an individual would receive a higher level of exposure from using a vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, or microwave oven.
“I felt like that would be the case, but it’s encouraging to have the results confirm that,” Lynch said, adding that the team had not received any questions from prospective free agents regarding the substation theory, and had the scientist’s findings readily available should they be requested.
The 49ers’ injury situation in 2025 was particularly challenging. The team lost several key players to season-ending injuries, including defensive end Nick Bosa (ACL tear), linebacker Fred Warner (ankle fracture), and tight end George Kittle (Achilles tendon rupture). First-round pick Mykel Williams also missed a significant portion of the season with an ACL tear. Quarterback Brock Purdy suffered a thumb injury, while receivers Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, and linebacker Tatum Bethune all experienced extended absences.
According to OverTheCap, the 49ers had 20 players on injured reserve throughout the season, representing over $95 million in adjusted contract value – the highest in the league, exceeding the next closest team by nearly $20 million. The team has also led the league in ‘games lost adjusted’ in both 2024 and 2020, a metric that estimates the impact of injuries on team performance.
The team is now focused on proactive measures to reduce injury risk. Lynch announced a $9 million investment to improve the team’s rehabilitation and recovery facilities, with a significant portion allocated to expanded aquatic options, including cold plunge pools, swimming pools, and underwater treadmills.
Lynch indicated that while the team does not plan to replace its current athletic training staff, they will be adding three additional physical therapists through an ongoing hiring process. “When you have a year like we had, you’re always looking to improve; you never stand still,” Lynch said. “Either you get better, or you get worse. And sometimes those years just happen, but in terms of the evaluation results, we believe we have a really competent staff, but – I reiterate – it’s not enough to just say, ‘Well, we have good people.’”
Lynch also reported that Bosa and Williams are recovering well from their ACL tears and are expected to participate in some capacity at the start of training camp, albeit under a modified workload. He also suggested, for the first time, that Kittle could be available for the start of the regular season. “We’re optimistic he’ll be ready for Week 1,” Lynch said. “His recovery is progressing well.”
The 49ers’ commitment to addressing the root causes of their injury issues is a clear signal that the organization is prioritizing player health and safety as they prepare for the 2026 season. The team will undoubtedly be closely monitored as they implement these changes and strive to maintain a healthier roster.
The team’s next key date is the NFL Draft, where they will look to add talent and depth to a roster that, when healthy, remains a Super Bowl contender. The draft will be held in Detroit, Michigan, from April 25-27.
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