Lynch says 49ers' injury conspiracy a 'big nothing burger' - ESPN

PHOENIX — A few days after the San Francisco 49ers' season ended, general manager John Lynch vowed to investigate anything and everything that might have contributed to the team's avalanche of injuries in 2025.

That included the viral online theory that an electrical substation near the team's training facility at Levi's Stadium was having adverse effects on the players.

Speaking Sunday afternoon at the NFL's annual meetings, Lynch ruled out the substation theory and provided tangible steps the team is taking to attempt to reduce future injuries.

According to Lynch, the Niners hired an independent scientist to study the substation and see whether there was anything to the idea that the facility could be contributing to their injuries.

«It basically was a big nothing burger,» Lynch said. «We're in a safe place of work.… It's a normal place of work. It's a normal gym. We are safe, we're healthy, and we feel really good about that.

»That was important to us, not just to turn a blind eye, but to look into it because it's our players' wellness. It's not only our players' wellness, it's coaches, it's staff, all that. And it's encouraging."

According to the Niners, the scientist — whose name and affiliation was not made available and whom the team says has «over 45 years of experience studying electromagnetic fields and their effects» — was given access to the entire facility. He then used «lab grade equipment» to read electromagnetic output and took measurements in any space that players occupy when at the facility.

Those readings, according to the 49ers, showed that the facility was 400 times below the threshold of what would be considered an unsafe working environment. The facility, according to the scientist, had exposure