The NFC wild-card playoff matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers seems evenly matched on the floor. Nonetheless, the Eagles might maintain a big offensive benefit due to San Francisco’s severely depleted linebacker corps.
The 49ers — who’re 4.5-point underdogs, in accordance with FanDuel — are struggling to search out wholesome linebackers to go well with up Sunday in Philadelphia (4:30 p.m. ET, Fox). LB Fred Warner suffered a long-term ankle damage in Week 6 and possibly will not return this season. Tatum Bethune suffered a season-ending groin damage in Week 18, and Dee Winters and Luke Gifford have not practiced this week due to accidents.
With its linebacking corps in disarray, San Francisco promoted 33-year-old Eric Kendricks to the energetic roster and signed veteran Kyzir White to the follow squad. Kendricks has appeared in solely three video games this season, recording simply six mixed tackles in these video games, whereas White hasn’t performed since Week 3, when he suited up for the Tennessee Titans.
The 49ers could be down to their fifth- and sixth-string linebackers against Philadelphia. If you’re head coach Nick Sirianni and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, you better be crafting an offensive game plan built around attacking the LBs.
