San Francisco 49ers Linebacker Tatum Bethune Out For Remainder Of Season
There is never a “good” time to get injured in the NFL. But getting hurt in Week 18, right before the playoffs begin? That is a special kind of heartbreak reserved for the football gods’ cruelest scripts. Unfortunately, that is the reality for 49ers Linebacker Tatum Bethune.
After a gritty season where he stepped up in a major way, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan dropped the hammer on Monday: Bethune is officially out for the entire postseason. The culprit is a significant groin injury sustained during Saturday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. It adds a stinging physical insult to the emotional injury of losing the No. 1 seed.
A Brutal End to Bethune’s Breakout Season
You have to feel for the guy. Bethune didn’t just fill a roster spot this year; he was a legitimate contributor. Appearing in 14 games and starting eight of them, he racked up 94 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and a sack. He was in the trenches, doing the dirty work. Now, instead of prepping for the Eagles, he’s facing the possibility of surgery to repair the tear. Shanahan noted that while a decision hasn’t been finalized regarding going under the knife, Bethune’s season is unequivocally over.
This loss leaves a significant void in the middle of a defense that is already resembling a MASH unit more than a football team.
Next Man Up: How the 49ers Fill the Bethune Void
The linebacker room in San Francisco is looking uncomfortably thin. It isn’t just Bethune dealing with ailments. Dee Winters is nursing an ankle injury after getting his calf stepped on, and Luke Gifford is day-to-day with a quad issue.
So, who steps into the spotlight? Enter veteran Eric Kendricks. If there is a silver lining here, it’s that Kendricks looked sharp in Week 18, arguably playing as the team’s best defender against Seattle. The 49ers will need every ounce of his experience to navigate the Wild Card round. With Bethune out, Kendricks takes over the linebacking duties. If Winters can’t go, we’ll likely see Garrett Wallow or Curtis Robinson trying to plug the gaps.
Reinforcements and Other Injury Reports
It’s not all doom and gloom in the Bay Area, though. Quarterback Brock Purdy, who gave everyone a scare with a shoulder stinger, has checked out fine. That is the bullet dodged of the century.
Additionally, rookie receiver Jacob Cowing is getting his practice window opened. Shanahan praised Cowing’s offseason preparation, so adding his speed back into the mix could be a nice wrinkle for the offense. However, Ricky Pearsall remains a question mark after reaggravating his PCL, meaning the training staff will be working overtime this week.
All-Pro Fred Warner is eyeing a potential return for the NFC Championship Game, but the 49ers have to actually win two games to get there first.
