SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Bryant Young is scheduled to undergo surgery on Thursday to remove a bone spur from his left ankle.
He is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.
The absence of Bryant, one of the league's top run-stuffing tackles, will be a major blow for the 49ers, who lost defensive tackle Dana Stubblefield in the offseason. Jim Flanigan, who was signed to replace Stubblefield, has barely practiced in training camp because of a leg injury.
Bryant, 31, has spent his entire nine-year career with San Francisco and is third in club history with 63 sacks. He has just two last season.
The 6-3, 291-pounder often attracts double teams, freeing up the linebackers to attack the backfield. San Francisco ranked seventh against the run last season.
