San Francisco 49ers center Daniel Kilgore suffered a broken bone in his left leg in Sunday night's 42-17 loss to the Denver Broncos and will miss the rest of the season.
Niners coach Jim Harbaugh said in his weekly news conference Monday that Kilgore will undergo season-ending surgery Tuesday.
"It's an obstacle to overcome, and he's made of the right stuff," Harbaugh said of Kilgore. "No doubt that he'll overcome it.
"We'll say a prayer and hope the surgery goes real well tomorrow, which I'm confident it will, and he'll start healing."
Kilgore was in his first year starting at center, replacing three-year starter Jonathan Goodwin, and had been playing well. He was injured in the third quarter when Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall rolled up his leg from behind while tackling Frank Gore for no gain.
Undrafted rookie Dillon Farrell replaced Kilgore but had to leave the game after rolling an ankle with about seven minutes to play, though Farrell showed no ill effects in the immediate aftermath of the game.
Third-round draft pick Marcus Martin figures to assume the starting center role, as he has been recuperating from a left knee injury suffered in the third exhibition game.
"He's excelled at the mental aspects, before and after he was injured," Harbaugh said of Martin. "I've been real impressed with that.
"He did not ease off in terms of the classroom and the study. I think that bodes well. Bright youngster and he's champed at the bit to get back on the field and didn't take the opportunity to let the injury linger. So, good signs and excited about his progress and look forward to good things."