- Linebacker Tatum Bethune stepped in for the injured Fred Warner in the 49ers’ win over the Falcons.
- Bethune matched his career-high with 10 tackles while filling in for the All-Pro linebacker.
- The San Francisco 49ers are leading the NFC West despite numerous significant player injuries.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune rocked Fred Warner’s throwback rookie jersey when he arrived at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 19. Then Bethune proceeded to play like the four-time first-team All-Pro linebacker.
Playing in place of the injured Warner, Bethune matched a career-high with 10 tackles in the 49ers’ 20-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night. He played a career-most 56 snaps on defense.
“I feel like Tay did a great job stepping up for LB Fred (Warner) with him going down. That’s a big role to fill and big shoes to fill,” 49ers defensive lineman Bryce Huff said. “He definitely got it done.”
Warner is one of the many 49ers who’ve suffered major injuries this season. San Francisco has 10 players on injured reserve, quarterback Brock Purdy has only appeared in two games due to a toe injury, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has yet to play this year, is on the PUP-list.
Despite being ravaged by injuries, the 49ers are 5-2 and on top of the NFC West.
Warner, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6, took part in team meetings ahead of Sunday night’s game, according to Bethune. The injured linebacker was also seen by NBC cameras congratulating teammates after the 49ers’ big win.
Bethune said he’s inspired by Warner.
“I feel like the rest of this season, man, I’m just thinking about Fred. Everything we do is for him. He’s done a lot for us. He put his body on the line for us,” Bethune told reporters. “We just want to show him that it ain’t go unnoticed and we learned from it and we’re gonna feed off it.’
Bethune compiled 20 tackles the past two games after having just 11 tackles in his first 16 career games.
The 49ers appear to have the upmost confidence in the second-year linebacker. San Francisco will need Bethune to continue to perform at a high level as he fills Warner’s void.
“Tatum’s a real good linebacker,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. “You never know when your op’s going to come, and unfortunately his came with a bad injury to Fred, but he’s been ready for this moment for a while. I mean, no one doubted Tatum at all.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
