The San Francisco 49ers‘ defense has dealt with injuries all season, and that trend will continue into the playoffs. Ahead of their Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Niners received even more injury news to their defensive unit.
Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported on Jan. 5 that Tatum Bethune is done for the season with a groin injury. Linebackers Dee Winters, dealing with an ankle issue, and Luke Gifford, nursing a quad injury, will be re-evaluated later this week.
Nonetheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Eric Kendrick’s ability to step in for Bethune.
“He’s been here long enough,” Shanahan said (h/t 49ers Web Zone). “These games he’s gotten in, in the last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job of, and I’m glad that we got him for this situation.”
San Francisco have been without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner for most of the 2025 season. However, at some point, the injuries to the defense can become too much to overcome.
Nonetheless, the defense did play well against the Seattle Seahawks in their Week 18 loss. The Niners’ defense limited Sam Darnold and Co. to 13 points. Usually, that would be enough for a win, except the 49ers couldn’t get going on offense, leading to only three points.
It will be interesting to see if the group can carry that momentum into the Wild Card Round against the Eagles, who are coming off winning the NFC East division.
George Kittle Issued Optimistic Outlook
Despite having George Kittle returning to the squad, the veteran tight end didn’t have much of an impact, recording five receptions for 29 receiving yards. After the loss, Kittle spoke with the media and shared his thoughts on the disappointing performance against the Seahawks on Jan. 3, but had an optimistic tone considering the team is in the playoffs.
“Well, look, we lost at home to a division rival for the division and the one seed,” Kittle told reporters (h/t 95.7 The Game). “That sucks. That is what it is. And yes, I’m disappointed about it. It’s horrible. [The] good news is I get to play football next week. Whether it’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, whenever it is, I get to play football again.”
Moreover, while the injuries continue to pile up on the Niners, they should have a couple of guys back for the game against the Eagles.
“We have a whole new season ahead of us,” Kittle added. “It is what it is. We just got to go to work. We have a week. Hopefully, we get Trent back. That’s super helpful. He’s a really good football player. Maybe Ricky. That’s horrible. I hate that; I hate losing. I hate losing to the Seahawks. But hey, we’re going to play football next week. And whoever it is, whenever what happens.”
49ers Will Face Well-Rested Eagles
Philadelphia are coming off a Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders, but the Eagles chose to rest a number of their players in preparation for the Wild Card Round. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and others got the regular-season finale off, so that offensive unit will look to take advantage of a hurting 49ers defense.
49ers Get Bad News Before Facing Eagles in Wild Card Round