SANTA CLARA — The 49ers head into their Week 12 matchup with the Carolina Panthers without a few players.
Tatum Bethune, who suffered an ankle injury in the team’s 41-22 win over the Arizona Cardinals, will miss multiple weeks. The linebacker was seen in the locker room on Thursday still wearing a walking boot but able to put weight on his injured right foot.
Curtis Robinson, who took over for Bethune on Sunday, will resume the “quarterback role” on the defense, wearing the green dot and receiving the calls from defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. Coach Kyle Shanahan believes Robinson has already filled in admirably.
“It’s been good that Curtis has been here,” Shanahan said. “Always been practicing for this moment, but it’a just like when you’re missing a quarterback or a center. It’s not just the ability of the guy but everything runs through that position. The MIKE by far on the defense, getting everyone lined up, getting the adjustments with all the motions.
“It’s a huge deal, schematically, mentally, the challenge of it, but Curtis is the right dude for that.”
Rookie linebacker Nick Martin also could see a slight uptick in snap counts on game day. The Oklahoma State product was on the field for 14 defensive plays and 11 on special teams.
“I thought he did a real good job,” Shanahan said. “I thought he ran and tackled very well. Really had just one mistake in the pass game, giving up just a seven cut behind him. I think he had 14 plays, but 13 of them were real good.”
Also out for multiple weeks is kicker Eddy Piñeiro, who suffered a hamstring injury in Arizona during a point-after-touchdown attempt. The 49ers signed kicker Matt Gay to the practice squad to take over until Piñeiro is healthy.
“His experience,” Shanahan said of why the team signed Gay over the other kickers who came in for a workout. “He’s had a lot of success in this League and looked real good during our workout.”
Defensive lineman Robert Beal remains in the league’s independent concussion protocol and was not seen on Thursday.
49ers full practice report
Not participating
LB Tatum Bethune (ankle)
K Eddy Piñeiro (hamstring)
DL Robert Beal (concussion)
LT Trent Williams (rest)
RB Christian McCaffrey (rest)
Limited
LB Luke Gifford (neck/hip)