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Just days before opening the postseason, the 12-5 San Francisco 49ers find themselves scrambling at one of the most important positions on the field.
Already thin at linebacker, the situation worsened Sunday when Tatum Bethune was injured during the regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks.
Bethune, a second-year middle linebacker out of Central Florida, was playing his first game back after missing time with an ankle injury.
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His return was cut short in the second half when he went down and remained on the turf while trainers evaluated him.
He eventually headed to the locker room as the 49ers struggled in a 13-3 loss that cost them far more than a single game.
With the defeat, San Francisco relinquished the NFC West title, the conference’s top seed, and a coveted first-round bye to Seattle.
The loss of Bethune further depletes a linebacker group that has been hit repeatedly throughout the season.
He emerged as a key piece of the defense in 2025, finishing second on the team with 91 tackles while adding a sack and three pass breakups across 14 games.
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His absence leaves the 49ers once again adjusting on the fly as they prepare for an NFC Wild Card matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Fred Warner still sidelined, veteran Eric Kendricks is expected to step into the starting role at middle linebacker.
Kendricks becomes the fourth different player to start at the position this season, underscoring just how turbulent the year has been for San Francisco’s defense.
Signed on November 26 after waiting most of the season for the right opportunity, Kendricks was elevated from the practice squad late in the year and appeared in the final three regular-season games, recording six tackles over 45 defensive snaps.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he’s comfortable with Kendricks taking on a larger role as the postseason begins. “I’m real confident in Eric,” Shanahan said. “He’s been here long enough. The snaps he’s gotten these last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job, and I’m glad we have him in this situation.”
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As for Warner, the 49ers are not counting on his return anytime soon. While the All-Pro linebacker has been aggressive in his rehabilitation, Shanahan indicated the team isn’t ready to open his practice window.
A potential return later in the postseason hasn’t been ruled out, but it’s not part of the immediate plan.
Bethune’s injury isn’t the only concern. Starting weak-side linebacker Dee Winters is dealing with an ankle issue, and backup Luke Gifford has a lingering quad injury.
Both will be evaluated throughout the week and could miss practice time, though neither has been officially ruled out for Sunday.
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If depth becomes an issue, the 49ers may turn to Curtis Robinson, Garret Wallow, or practice squad linebackers Jalen Graham and Andrew Farmer II.
Rookie Nick Martin, a third-round pick in 2025, remains on injured reserve for at least one more week while recovering from a concussion.
As the playoffs arrive, San Francisco’s championship hopes may hinge on how well it can piece together a defense amid mounting injuries.
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