Tatum Bethune ruled out of postseason for 49ers as Fred Warner could return

Drake Bentley

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Tatum Bethune ruled out of postseason for 49ers as Fred Warner could return image

The San Francisco 49ers’ defense has suffered another significant injury setback ahead of the postseason.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that linebacker Tatum Bethune will miss the entire playoffs after suffering a groin injury in Saturday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Bethune may require surgery, though Shanahan said no final decision has been made.

Bethune started eight of his 14 appearances this season and finished with 94 tackles, four tackles for loss and one sack.

The timing is especially difficult for San Francisco, which is preparing for a crucial Wild Card matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and can ill afford further losses on defense.

Fred Warner likely not available for Eagles game

The 49ers have not ruled out the possibility of Fred Warner returning later in the postseason, but Shanahan indicated the star linebacker is unlikely to be available this week against Philadelphia.

"I think it's too far off right now," Shanahan said on Monday's conference call, according to Bay Area News Group. "I think it is a possibility, as we get closer to a possible third game here—a championship game. But it's not something we're thinking about right now."

San Francisco is also evaluating injuries to Dee Winters and Luke Gifford, leaving Eric Kendricks, Garret Wallow and Curtis Robinson as the only healthy linebackers currently on the roster.

Here is a look at the NFC playoff picture:

  1. Seattle Seahawks (14-3)
  2. Chicago Bears (11-6)
  3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
  4. Carolina Panthers (8-9)
  5. Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
  6. San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
  7. Green Bay Packers (9-7-1)

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News Correspondent