49ers investigating conspiracy theory as GM addresses $120m star’s ‘confusing’ injury absence

The San Francisco 49ers are on the verge of being in an X-Files episode.

What once seemed like a wild conspiracy now has some teeth, as the 49ers announced a investigation into an electrical substation near their training facility.

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Social media theory gains traction with 49ers

San Francisco just completed an injury-ravaged season that featured multiple key players miss significant time due to ailments.

When the 49ers advanced to the recent NFC Divisional Round, they lost Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle to a season-ending Achilles injury.

Nick Bosa (ACL), Mykel Williams (ACL), Fred Warner (ankle), Brock Purdy (turf toe), Ricky Pearsall (sprained knee and ankle), Jauan Jennings (rib and ankle) and Tatum Bethune (groin) all missed time during the 2025 season, which saw the 49ers become one of the NFL’s best stories by going 12-5 despite all their injuries.

The 49ers have trained in Santa Clara — the home area of Super Bowl LX — since the 1980s.

A power substation was later built, then expanded with the construction of Levi’s Stadium.

A connection between the station and the 49ers’ injuries has been debunked by scientists and medical professionals.

But after San Francisco wide receiver Kendrick Bourne appeared to allude to the connection following Kittle’s season-ending injury and the controversial station, the 49ers have decided to investigate whether they are being negatively affected by their close proximity to the power source and the affects of electromotive force.

“Because it deals with allegedly the health and safety of our players, I think you have to look into everything,” San Francisco general manager John Lynch said on Wednesday.

GM knows team has too many injuries

“We’ve been reaching out to anyone and everyone to see, does a study exist other than a guy sticking an apparatus underneath the fence and coming up with a number that I have no idea what that means? That’s what we know exists.

“We’ve heard that debunked. The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority. We pore into it. Our ownership, Jed (York) is tremendous in terms of resources, and we’ll always be cognizant of things. I know that a lot of games have been won at this facility since it opened, but yeah, we aren’t going to turn a blind eye.”

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A healthier San Francisco team could be playing in the NFC Championship, with a shot at playing in a home Super Bowl vs the best team from the AFC.

But the 49ers had 20 players on the injured reserve list in 2025, which totaled more than $95 million in contract value and was the highest amount in the league by almost $20m.

“We’re always looking into trends, data, everything we do,” Lynch said. “Our health and performance of our players is at the utmost priority each and every year. This year it was tough, and it took a toll on our team, and we’ll continue to look.

“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort in recruiting really quality people. And I think being at the forefront of injury prevention and I think this year, probably because the star players that went down, there was a lot of attention given on that.”

Fans were split on the investigation, with some supporters insisting it will be a waste of time.

Mixed response to station investigation

“It’s a little late now,” one fan tweeted. “Everyone at this point is injury prone that has ever stepped foot on that field. Move the field back to Candlestick Park and end this curse.”

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“Did that substation just get put in this year?” a second fan posted. “Why didn’t this happen every year it was there? I don’t think it’s the substation. It’s probably something to do (with) new training techniques that weaken ligaments.”

“They are (an) NFL team with several billion (dollars),” a third fan wrote. “Just pay the electric company to relocate the substation. Probably cost a couple of million but you pay half your roster more than that.”

One player who won’t be back in 2026, healthy or injured, is wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

While the 49ers were losing players weekly and racking up massive injuries, Aiyuk distanced himself from the team.

The former first-round pick has only played in seven games the last two seasons and the 49es have made it clear that his time is done in San Francisco, despite holding a four-year, $120m contract and receiving $76m guaranteed.

Brandon Aiyuk needs new NFL team

“I think it’s safe to say that he’s played his last snap with the Niners,” Lynch said.

“It’s unfortunate. A situation that just went awry. And I will look long and hard at what could have been done differently, but sometimes it just doesn’t work out. And I think that this was a case where that happened.”

“That’s something I’d never seen in 22 years of coaching. It’s unfortunate,” head coach Kyle Shanahan added. “It’s confusing.”

The Los Angles Rams and Seattle Seahawks will face off on Sunday in the NFC Championship for a spot in Super Bowl LX.

The New England Patriots will play the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship.

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