What is the 49ers’ viral substation theory - and could it actually be causing more injuries?

The San Francisco 49ers have spent the better part of a decade battling an unfortunate label as one of the NFL’s most injury-prone teams.

This season was no different. Despite another deep playoff run, San Francisco once again lost multiple key players to serious injuries, a trend that has followed the franchise since its move to Levi’s Stadium in 2014. Now, a viral theory circulating among fans and even players has pushed the organization to at least ask an unusual question. Could the electrical substation next to the team’s facility be playing a role?

What is the “substation theory”?

The theory centers on an electrical substation operated by Silicon Valley Power that sits adjacent to the 49ers’ practice facility and near Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. The substation was expanded around the same time the stadium opened in 2014, and over the years, a belief has quietly circulated among players that prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from the facility could be affecting their bodies.

That idea went mainstream after wide receiver Kendrick Bourne referenced it following tight end George Kittle’s Achilles tear during the 49ers’ recent playoff win, echoing a theory that former players have joked about privately for years.

49ers general manager John Lynch confirmed the team is aware of the speculation, and while he emphasized that the theory has been widely debunked, he also said the organization plans to do its due diligence.

“The health and safety of our players is of the utmost priority,” Lynch said. “We’ve heard that debunked … but we aren’t going to turn a blind eye.”

Why the theory gained traction

The reason the idea refuses to go away is simple: the injuries keep piling up. This season alone, the 49ers lost:

• George Kittle (torn Achilles)
• Nick Bosa (torn ACL)
• Fred Warner (fractured and dislocated ankle)
• Brock Purdy (turf toe)
• Mykel Williams (torn ACL)

Since moving to Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco has consistently ranked near the top of the league in adjusted games lost, a metric that measures injury impact. Achilles ruptures, ligament tears, and major soft-tissue injuries have become an annual storyline, often derailing seasons that otherwise would’ve been Super Bowl-ready.

What does the science actually say?

This is where the theory runs into serious resistance. Multiple scientists and medical experts have stated that there is no proven link between low-frequency electromagnetic fields from power substations and increased rates of musculoskeletal injuries. Regulatory bodies like the FCC and international health organizations have long maintained that EMF exposure at levels produced by substations is well below thresholds known to cause biological harm.

Those guidelines focus on thermal effects, and whether electromagnetic exposure heats tissue. Under that standard, substations near stadiums and training facilities are considered safe.

Some independent researchers argue that non-thermal effects of EMF exposure deserve more study, particularly regarding cellular processes, but that work remains inconclusive and far from establishing a cause-and-effect relationship, especially at the exposure levels measured near NFL facilities.

So what’s with all the Niners’ injuries?

The 49ers’ injury struggles likely stem from a mix of more conventional factors, including a physically demanding offensive scheme, repeated deep playoff runs adding cumulative wear, past turf issues (which have since been addressed), and just the plain inherent randomness and violence of football

Lynch has made clear the team will review everything this offseason, including training methods, recovery processes, workload management, in hopes of getting more players to the finish line.

“Injuries are part of this game,” Lynch said. “What we strive to do is mitigate injuries.”

So… is the substation theory real?

At this point, there is no scientific evidence that the electrical substation near Levi’s Stadium is causing the 49ers’ injury problems. But given the franchise’s long-running injury luck (or lack thereof), it’s understandable why players and fans are searching for answers.

The theory may ultimately prove to be nothing more than a coincidence amplified by frustration. Still, the fact that it’s being openly discussed speaks to how desperate the 49ers are to solve a problem that has repeatedly stood between them and another Lombardi Trophy.

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