KANSAS CITY — Running back
Matt Breida and cornerback
Richard Sherman left with leg injuries amid the 49ers’ first-half terrors against the
Kansas City Chiefs.
Breida, the NFL’s rushing leader through two games, reached for his right knee after planting awkwardly on a run 3:10 before halftime. He returned for the first series after halftime and delivered 21-yard gains on a reception and carry, a rare dose of positive news on an otherwise miserable day for the 49ers.
Sherman sustained a left calf injury and was questionable to return for the second half, as the 49ers trailed 35-10 at halftime. He had his lower left leg examined by trainers on the bench as the Chiefs attempted to score a fifth touchdown in as many series just before halftime.
Breida had five carries for 29 yards and two catches for 14 yards before limping off the field with trainers, as the 49ers trailed 28-7.
Breida had a 26-yard, cut-back run on his first carry to midfield, but the 49ers’ second series stalled as Jimmy Garoppolo took a third-down sack, with Dee Ford beating Joe Staley.
Before Breida and Sherman got hurt, free safety Adrian Colbert exited with a hip injury after three series.
The 49ers secondary entered undermanned with Jaquiski Tartt (shoulder) inactive and with Jimmie Ward starting at cornerback over Ahkello Witherspoon, who got benched last game and has dealt with an ankle injury.
The 49ers offense could not keep pace with a red-hot Chiefs offense and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, whose three touchcdown passes in the second quarter gave him 13 to start the season, surpassing Peyton Manning’s 2013 record for most through three games.
Kareem Hunt had 1-yard touchdown runs on the Chiefs opening two possessions to stake them to a 14-0 lead.
Further hurting the 49ers’ upset chances were eight penalties for 101 yards as the Chiefs built their 28-7 lead.