Tatum

Bethune

Bethune, a 2024 seventh-rounder, had 94 tackles and four passes defensed in eight starts for the 49ers after taking over for Fred Warner in the middle of Week 6’s loss to the Buccaneers. He figures to be in line for a real defensive role with the 49ers again next season. Eric Kendricks will man the middle for the 49ers in the postseason.

It was the second time he left the game. Bethune had seven tackles, a sack, and a pass defensed before leaving. His absence leaves Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow manning the middle for the 49ers.

Curtis Robinson was the main replacement for Bethune, who left Week 11’s game against the Cardinals after 24 snaps. Bethune, who took the middle linebacker mantle for the injured Fred Warner, played some pretty decent run defense as a fill-in. He’s expected to avoid injured reserve at this time.

The 49ers also listed LB Tatum Bethune (thigh), DL Alfred Collins (hip), DL Kalia Davis (ankle) and DL Keion White (groin) as questionable and are expected to place DL Mykel Williams (knee) on injured reserve. Williams’ expected injured reserve placement, after suffering a torn ACL, will make him the fourth San Francisco pass rusher to be moved there this season. Williams’ 19 quarterback pressures rank second on the team. 49ers LB Fred Warner was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending dislocated ankle injury in Week 6, yet Warner still accounts for the team’s second-highest tackle total (39). Winters leads the way with 53. Rams QB Matthew Stafford should have comfortable pockets this weekend, and RB Kyren Williams could have fairly easy sledding on runs up the middle, 49ers’ questionable statuses pending.

Kittle and Samuel were already ruled out. Though both players, along with Christian McCaffrey, will be missed, all remaining inactive players are backups. Starting defenders, Nick Bosa (rib) and Charvarius Ward (hamstring/knee) are active, as is Talanoa Hufanga (knee), who makes his regular season debut following his 2023 ACL tear.

A three-star recruit out of Miami Central HS, Bethune (5’114/229) saw playing time in eight games his freshman year at UCF before sliding into a starting WLB/MLB role in 2020, accruing 57 tackles, 7.0 TFL and 22 stops. He moved to MLB full-time and came of age in 2021, leading the team with 108 tackles and 42 stops while slashing his missed tackle rate from 22 percent to 10 percent and receiving Second Team All-AAC. Bethune then transferred to Florida State, going on to make 21 starts at MLB while posting a team-high 70 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a solid 76th percentile PFF defensive grade in 2023. The third-team All-ACC MLB is a downhill run defender who shoots gaps instinctively, gets his hat to the ball, and makes violent tackles in the backfield. His reads were consistent and accurate which contributes to him being one of the better pure run defenders in this class. In the pass game, he can usually stay with tight ends and bigger backs, allowing completions on just 13-of-26 targets for 90 receiving yards this year, however, his awareness in zone coverage is lacking at times. Bethune projects as someone who can contribute rotational snaps and special teams play immediately, but may be limited long-term due to his average athleticism and advanced age.

Bethune (6'1/225) is a native of Miami, Florida, and spent his first three seasons at UCF before entering the portal. Now, Bethune will remain in Florida, only this time as a member of the Seminoles for the 2022 season. Last season, Bethune led the Knights with 114 tackles which included 17 quarterback pressures and four sacks per Pro Football Focus, while drawing an overall defensive grade of 75.0. Bethune will join a Florida State defense that in 2021 allowed 26.5 points per game while also giving up 379.0 yards per game to opposing defenses. The Seminoles have some rebuilding to do on both the offensive and defensive side of the football, but Bethune heading to Tallahassee should be a good sign for the defense.

Bethune (6'1/225) entering the portal could prove to be a big loss for the Knights after he led the team in tackles last season with 114 total tackles including 17 pressures and four sacks according to Pro Football Focus. Bethune also notched two interceptions on the year while forcing two fumbles, and received a PFF grade of 75.0 on the year. A Miami, Florida native, Bethune was a three-star prospect as a member of the 2019 recruiting class, and had also received offers from Auburn, Boston College and UAB, among other programs, during his initial recruiting process.