49ers stars even-keeled on electromagnetic field injury theory: ‘I have no other choice’

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco 49ers have been riddled with injuries in recent years, and there is a theory about why.

A viral theory, albeit unproven, says the 49ers’ unusually high number of soft tissue and non-contact injuries might be due to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from a big electrical substation next to their practice fields and Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. 

The claim is that being around it for years could weaken tendons and soft tissue, leading to more ACL tears, Achilles injuries, hamstring pulls and similar issues.

Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Ricky Pearsall, Brock Purdy, Dre Greenlaw and numerous others have sustained serious injuries over the last couple of years, adding traction to the theory. Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl two years ago, and Kittle ruptured his Achilles last month in the playoffs.

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Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers falls after a tackle during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium Dec. 1, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

McCaffrey missed all but four games with Achilles tendinitis and a knee injury last season but is not worried one bit.

“Dude, I am not a scientist, and I’m not a doctor. Look, we’ll play anywhere. You know, for us, I think that’s stuff that a lot of people smarter than me can talk about,” McCaffrey told Fox News Digital on radio row.

“All I know is, you know, there’s too many variables in football to just say that something like that is the reason for injuries. I mean, you can do everything right and bad things can still happen, so.”

Purdy was mum about the whole situation.

George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off the field during the second quarter in an NFC wild-card playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

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“I don’t really know what to think of it. You know, I think people are doing their research on it and whatnot, but, you know, for me, I have no idea,” he said. “I mean, I’m gonna continue to practice there. Obviously, it’s my job and I love the Niners. So yeah, I have no other choice.”

Linebacker Fred Warner, who missed time this season, had a different sentiment. He’s “ignoring it for now” but said he believes some research may have to be done.

“I think, of course, since it’s been such a hot topic that there’ll be more research done on it to see exactly if anything comes of it. But I think it’s been there for so long that, of course, we had the injuries we did this last this past season, especially the high-profile players. So, it was just kind of like a hot topic, basically, and we’ll see what comes of it,” Warner said.

Fred Warner of the San Francisco 49ers is carted off of the field after being injured during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium Oct. 12, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

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The 49ers have said they will look into what has caused the spike in injuries, including the EMF theory.

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