One of the prime competitors to start at the nose tackle position last year, Bryan Mone’s season came to an end before it ever got started. Practicing special teams work, the big lineman put in a bit of extra effort following a blocked kick, looking to pick up a block for a return. That came with a cost.
Jim Harbaugh noted in the fall that players are advised not to continue a play in that event, but in the moment, the excitement took over. According to Mone, he tripped over the return man’s feet, then stumbled over his own, breaking his ankle in the process.