San Francisco 49ers have dealt with one of the most injury-ridden seasons in the NFL, and the win over the Arizona Cardinals did not come without adding more names to the list, creating even more problems for an already depleted defense.
Kyle Shanahan announced that two players who had been starters are expected to miss multiple weeks due to injuries, making it especially important for the team to take advantage of the softer stretch in the schedule to recover players before the final portion of the season.
49ers Lose Tatum Bethune And Eddy Piñeiro For Multiples Weeks
The 49ers have put together one of the most resilient seasons of any team through 11 weeks. No roster has lost as many star players, and it is fair to argue that without the injuries to Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams, their Super Bowl odds would be very real.
It feels like every win is followed by a wave of negative updates that crush the defense’s momentum, and another injury in the linebacker group may have that effect. Tatum Bethune, who had been replacing Warner as the unit’s Mike linebacker, suffered a high ankle sprain and will miss multiple weeks.
Injury updates from 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan:
LB Tatum Bethune has a high ankle sprain and will miss “a few weeks.” K Eddy Piñeiro has a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will miss some time, too.— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) November 17, 2025
Shanahan told the media that because the 49ers’ bye week is approaching in Week 14, the team will not place Bethune on injured reserve, since they hope to use the bye to avoid losing him for the mandatory four-week stretch.
For Eddy Piñeiro, the situation appears more manageable. He suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain and will be evaluated weekly, though he will miss next week’s Monday Night Football matchup against the Carolina Panthers. The 49ers scheduled a kicker workout for Tuesday, including kicker John Parker Romo.
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The updates add another layer of concern for the 49ers, who relied on Piñeiro as a stabilizing force on special teams. He has not missed a field goal this season, though he has two missed extra points and two others blocked.
Bethune was ranked as the No. 50 linebacker on the PFSN Linebacker Impact Meter, and his replacement will be Curtis Robinson, who has spent most of the season on the practice squad.
