San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch did his best to shut down the buzz around the theory that an electrical substation near Levi’s Stadium could be the catalyst for the spate of injuries the team has suffered over the last few years.

The theory popped up on social media during the 2025 season, though the 49ers have played at Levi’s Stadium since 2014 and used the practice facility that is also near the substation since 1989.

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San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on Feb. 24, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

Niners star George Kittle said in February he didn’t believe the rumors were true, but also wanted a definitive answer.

Lynch provided one Sunday as NFL owners began to meet in Phoenix, Arizona. He said the organization had a scientist come to the facility to see if there was anything awry.

“It basically was a big nothing burger,” Lynch told reporters, via ESPN. “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.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is carted off the field after an injury during the NFC wild-card game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 11, 2026. (Bill Streicher/Imagn Images)

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“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 49ers, the scientist learned that players and staff were being exposed to an electromagnetic environment similar to that of a gym or average workplace.

Still, the injury bug is something the 49ers have to figure out as the seasons go on.

John Lynch watches players work out during NFL Pro Day, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Athens, Georgia. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

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San Francisco was 12-5 in 2025, but players like Kittle, Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall and Mykel Williams each missed several games with injuries.

For now, it appears the substation theory has been shut down.

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The 2026 Charleston Open is set to get underway today as the main draw action begins at the LTP-Daniel Island Tennis Center. While notable names like Emma Navarro, Amanda Anisimova, Beatriz Haddad Maia and Maya Joint have withdrawn, the tournament still features a strong lineup.

Day 1 will be headlined by players such as Donna Vekic, Eva Lys, Sloane Stephens, McCartney Kessler and Jennifer Brady. They will be joined by the likes of Alycia Parks, Ajla Tomljanovic, Katie Volynets, Yulia Putintseva and Dayana Yastremska, among others.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the predictions for some of the key matches scheduled on Day 1 of the 2026 Charleston Open.

Charleston Open 2026 Day 1 singles predictions

Donna Vekic vs Ajla Tomljanovic

Donna Vekic booked her spot in the main draw of the Charleston Open with commanding wins over Sachia Vickery (6-2, 6-2) and Ekaterine Gorgodze (6-2, 6-3) in the qualifying rounds. Meanwhile, Ajla Tomljanovic received direct entry into the main draw and arrived following a second-round exit at the Miami Open.

Vekic and Tomljanovic have faced each other twice before, with the Croatian winning both encounters in Wuhan (2014) and Istanbul (2018), giving her a 2-0 head-to-head advantage.

Predicted winner: Vekic in three sets.

Alycia Parks vs Mary Stoiana

Alycia Parks enters the matchup on the back of a third-round loss to Coco Gauff in Miami. Her opponent, Mary Stoiana, had to come through qualifying, beating Kristina Mladenovic 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Darja Vidmanova 6-2, 7-6(2) to set up a first-ever clash with Parks.

Parks brings power and a big serve, looking to take control quickly, while Stoiana relies more on consistency and rally tolerance. If Parks finds her range, she can dominate, but Stoiana could benefit if the match becomes more extended.

Predicted winner: Alycia Parks in straight sets.

McCartney Kessler vs Elvina Kalieve

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

Predicted winner: McCartney Kessler in straight sets.

Eva Lys vs Katie Volynets

Lys and Volynets have met once before, in the qualifying rounds of Lausanne in 2022, with the German coming out on top.

Predicted winner: Volynets in straight sets.

Yulia Putintseva vs Lulu Sun

They have never met before.

Predicted winner: Yulia Putintseva in straight sets.

Dayana Yastremska vs Anastasia Zakharova

Yastremska holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Zakharova going into their first-round encounter at the Charleston Open.

Predicted winner: Dayana Yastremska in straight sets.

Sloane Stephens vs Renata Zarazua

Zarazua has defeated Stephens in both of their previous meetings, in Acapulco in 2020 and Auckland earlier this year.

Predicted winner: Renata Zarazua in straight sets.

Jennifer Brady vs Viktoriya Tomova

Tomova holds a 1-0 head-to-head lead over Brady going into their first-round encounter at the Charleston Open.

Predicted winner: Jennifer Brady in three sets.

Akasha Urhobo vs Solana Sierra

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0.

Predicted winner: Akasha Urhobo in straight sets.

Anna Bondar vs Darja Vidmanova

Their head-to-head record stands at 0-0 in Bondar’s favor.

Predicted winner: Anna Bondar in straight sets.