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Report: 49ers' Chris Culliver tears ACL, out for season

Chris Culliver is reportedly out for the season with a torn ACL. (Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)

Chris Culliver is reportedly out for the season with a torn ACL. (Michael Zagaris/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chris Culliver tore his ACL in practice Thursday and will be out for the season, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

The news is a significant blow for the 49ers. Culliver was carted off the field after suffering the injury during the team's afternoon practice on Thursday. He had been taken to Stanford hospital for an MRI.

Culliver's injury is part of a string of early-season bumps and bruises for the 49ers. Star linebacker Patrick Willis was injured on Wednesday, reportedly breaking his hand. He was wearing a cast on his hand Thursday. Star wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham are also expected to miss significant time this season.

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Culliver had 47 tackles, two interceptions and one forced fumble last season while playing primarily as the team's third cornerback. He was drafted in the third round out of South Carolina in 2011.

He caused a stir before the Super Bowl when he made derogatory remarks about the possibility of having a gay player in the NFL.