"Not great, and don't expect Fred Warner's Hollywood-like comeback until at least the NFC Championship Game, if they reach it as the 49ers have in their past seven playoff trips since 2011. Tatum Bethune's season-ending groin tear Saturday puts the Mike linebacker role in flux, again. Presumably, Eric Kendricks will take over after his three-game onboarding since a Nov. 26 arrival. Curtis Robinson started the previous three games there but hasn't suited up since then."
"Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Jalen Hurts are on the NFL's marquee hyping this matchup, but don't overlook Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, the league's rushing champions in 2023 and '24, respectively, who've run for 1,202 and 1,107 yards this season. The 49ers' run defense is reeling, as if you didn't see the 18 missed tackles and 180 rushing yards allowed Saturday night against Seattle. The 49ers have allowed 290 rushing yards on 61 carries over the past two games."
Playoff football returns for the fourth time in five years as the 49ers prepare for a wild-card game in Philadelphia. The middle linebacker situation is unstable: Fred Warner will be out until at least the NFC Championship, Tatum Bethune suffered a season-ending groin tear, Curtis Robinson has not suited up recently, Dee Winters is questionable with an ankle injury, and Nick Martin remains on injured reserve. The team added veteran Kyzir White to the practice squad and could call up Jalen Graham. The run defense has struggled, allowing 290 yards on 61 carries the past two games and showing 18 missed tackles in one outing. The Eagles feature Saquon Barkley and a top red-zone offense despite middling yardage and third-down rankings.
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