A lot has changed for the 49ers’ defense in the past week.
But, really, more things have remained the same, linebacker Fred Warner said.
Defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas are out for the season with torn ACLs. Edge rusher Dee Ford’s status is uncertain with a worrisome back condition.
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But the 49ers do not have time to stop for even a moment of self-pity.
“Obviously, it’s a huge loss to have Nick and Solly go down” Warner said. “But I think a lot of talk outside the building is about what we’ve lost -- not a lot about the depth and the people we have here on this defense.”
The 49ers are practicing this week in West Virginia, as they prepare for their Week 3 game Sunday against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
“I don’t think a lot has changed, honestly,” Warner said. “I think we’re excited for this week, to go against the Giants. And go out and prove we’re the defense we say we are and that we show on tape.”
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers’ style of play will not change -- only some of the names and numbers.
Giants first-year coach Joe Judge said he expects the 49ers to fashion the same defensive approach coordinator Robert Saleh has instilled with his unit since his arrival at the beginning of the 2017 season.
“I’d say the identity to us with those guys, and the way Robert sets it up, is it’s a do-what-they-do deal,” Judge said. “But they do it really, really well.
“Their identity is how they fly around on tape and the physicality they play with.”
Despite all of the losses to the 49ers’ defensive line, that unit will still be expected to set the tone.
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The 49ers will not have Bosa, Ford and Thomas. But they should still be able to play their brand of football with Arik Armstead, D.J. Jones, Javon Kinlaw, Kerry Hyder, Kevin Givens and Kentavius Street, along with newly added Ziggy Ansah and Dion Jordan.
The rest of the defense is able to feed off the aggressive style of play that starts up front, Judge said.
“They’re a very good penetrating front,” Judge said. “It really starts up front with these guys. They’re very disruptive. This is a turnover team. This is a penetration team. This is a pressure-on-your-quarterback team.
“It gives opportunities to the secondary on the back end. The linebackers are extremely fast. These guys can really move and flow behind that (line) in front of them. They’re very good in the pass game.”
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The Giants might be forced to place more on the shoulders of second-year quarterback Daniel Jones for the remainder of the season. Star running back Saquon Barkley is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Jones ranks near the bottom of the league in passer efficiency through two games. He has completed 51 of 81 passes for 520 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. The 49ers ranked No. 1 in the NFL in pass defense last season. Through two games this season, they rank fourth, allowing 198.5 yards per game.