49ers Pro Bowl fullback speaks out on ongoing practice field theory.
The San Francisco 49ers are no strangers to injury adversity, but after another season derailed by key absences, a long-circulating theory has resurfaced, this time with growing urgency from inside the locker room.
The idea centers on an electrical substation located near the team’s practice facility in Santa Clara and whether low-frequency electromagnetic fields could be playing a role in the franchise’s persistent injury woes.
While the theory has often lived on the fringes of fan discussion, it has now earned attention at the highest levels of the organization.
General manager John Lynch recently confirmed the team plans to investigate whether electromagnetic exposure could pose any risk to player health.
That announcement was met with interest from veteran fullback Kyle Juszczyk, who addressed the topic in a candid interview with Front Office Sports.
Juszczyk made clear he isn’t chasing conspiracy theories. Instead, he’s seeking clarity.
A nine-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro, Juszczyk has been with San Francisco since 2017 and has experienced firsthand the team’s seemingly endless run of injuries.
“It’s been talked about for years,” Juszczyk said. “The science isn’t very clear, and I’m someone who really wants to see data, numbers, and statistics before believing anything.”
Juszczyk acknowledged that football injuries are often random and unavoidable, stemming from awkward collisions or split-second missteps. Still, he admitted the consistency of the problem raises legitimate questions.
“Is it just coincidence? It very well could be,” he said. “But when it keeps happening, you start wondering if there’s something else worth examining.”
Lynch echoed that sentiment in his press conference, emphasizing that anything connected to player safety must be taken seriously — even if the idea sounds far-fetched at first glance. The organization plans to do its due diligence before drawing conclusions.
Not everyone in the locker room is buying in. Linebacker Fred Warner openly downplayed the theory, joking that the substation might have given him “superpowers.” Warner pointed out that his season-ending ankle injury was a fluke and noted his long history of durability as evidence against the claim.
Juszczyk, however, isn’t asking for belief-only answers.
“As professional athletes, we’re chasing every tiny edge,” he explained. “Even if something is hurting us just a fraction, that matters. We want to know.”
Whether the investigation uncovers anything meaningful or not, the 49ers’ willingness to explore every possibility underscores how seriously the organization and its players are taking the pursuit of long-term health and consistency.