The 49ers placed Latu (knee) on injured reserve Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Latu sustained a meniscus injury in Friday's preseason loss to the Chargers and will undergo surgery. The rookie third-rounder will be forced to miss the entire 2023 campaign due to the injury after landing on injured reserve Tuesday, and he'll shift his focus toward recovering ahead of the 2024 season.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Slated for surgery
Rotowire
Latu will require surgery to repair a meniscus injury sustained in Friday's 23-12 preseason loss to the Chargers, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
Latu figures to take at least four weeks to recover following successful meniscus surgery, likely meaning he will not be available until early October. The 49ers will now have the option to immediately place him on IR, which would sideline him for the entirety of the 2023 campaign, or the team can retain him on the initial 53-man roster and then place him on IR, which would allow him to return this coming season. The rookie third-round pick figured to compete for a primary reserve role behind George Kittle heading into the regular season, though this injury could significantly impact Latu's outlook even if he manages to return at some point in 2023.
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49ers' Cameron Latu: Week 1 role uncertain
Rotowire
Latu may not immediately serve as George Kittle's (groin) top backup to begin the season after being the third tight end to enter San Francisco's first preseason game this past Sunday against the Raiders.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan started veteran backups Ross Dwelley and Charlie Woerner in place of Kittle in the 34-7 loss to the Raiders, opting to bring Latu in with the rest of the reserves. The rookie third-round pick out of Alabama handled the highest snap share of any tight end in the contest (45 percent) but also coughed up a drive-killing fumble on his lone reception. Latu will have to improve on a rocky exhibition debut in order to earn playing time in 2023.
