Fooch's update: The 49ers formally announced Glenn Dorsey tore his ACL.
The San Francisco 49ers defensive line took a big hit on Sunday, as Glenn Dorsey went down with a knee injury on the first play of the game. The injury appears to be what some folks expected. NFL Network reporter Rand Getlin tweetedthat he was told Dorsey tore his ACL. During his Monday press conference, Jim Tomsula said Dorsey was getting an MRI. I imagine Tomsula will confirm this news on Wednesday, assuming the team does not put Dorsey on IR before then.
Dorsey's absence means Arik Armstead will be getting a lot more playing time the final six games of the year. He moved into the starting lineup after Dorsey went down. Tony Jerod-Eddie and Mike Purcell got snaps as well, but Armstead handled the bulk of the 3-4 base work, along with his nickel work.
Dorsey is signed through next season, and this could get a little dicey. A player can recover from a late November ACL tear in time for the following season, but given how important leverage is, and how much a lineman is bent down, it would not be surprising to see him open next season on the PUP list. It's a long way off, so plenty can change between now and then, but that will be something to track heading into the offseason. Dorsey is due to make $1.8 million in base salary, $200,000 in roster bonuses, and $150,000 in a workout bonus.