The San Francisco 49ers signed outside linebacker Tank Carradine to a one-year contract extension the week before the start of the 2016 season. The deal inked Carradine through the 2017 season. At his current pace, Tank could very well be off the team before this season is done.
The 49ers defensive snap count reveals that Carradine played seven special teams snaps, and zero defensive snaps. Over the first seven weeks of the season, Carradine’s defensive snap totals have been as follows: 23, 23, 33, 21, 9, 11, 0.
I don’t think Trent Baalke is going to release Carradine this season, but if Baalke is replaced, I can’t see Tank lasting into his actual extension season. He has yet to emerge in any way as a viable presence in the pass rush. He got opportunities to start the season, but the coaching staff seems to have moved on from him at this point. Aaron Lynch suffered what he described as a high ankle sprain on Sunday, so there could be some snaps for Carradine, but my guess is Ronald Blair gets some OLB work before Tank gets back on the field with the defense.
Here’s the 49ers full defensive snap count from Week 7.
| Player | Offense | Defense | ST |
| Eric Reid | 75 | 7 | |
| Tramaine Brock | 75 | ||
| Nick Bellore | 74 | 12 | |
| DeForest Buckner | 73 | ||
| Ahmad Brooks | 71 | 7 | |
| Antoine Bethea | 70 | ||
| Rashard Robinson | 62 | 5 | |
| Gerald Hodges | 61 | 5 | |
| Aaron Lynch | 48 | 5 | |
| Arik Armstead | 47 | ||
| Quinton Dial | 41 | 10 | |
| Jimmie Ward | 40 | 7 | |
| Eli Harold | 26 | 7 | |
| Mike Purcell | 17 | 17 | |
| Tony Jerod-Eddie | 14 | ||
| Michael Wilhoite | 13 | 21 | |
| Jaquiski Tartt | 9 | 10 | |
| Ronald Blair | 7 | 2 | |
| Keith Reaser | 2 | 9 | |
| Dontae Johnson | 27 | ||
| Shayne Skov | 27 | ||
| Bradley Pinion | 11 | ||
| Kyle Nelson | 9 | ||
| Tank Carradine | 7 | ||
| Phil Dawson | 5 | ||
| Andrew Tiller | 3 | ||
| JaCorey Shepherd | 3 |