Golden Nuggets: The Defensive Struggles

The 49ers announced Monday that LB NaVorro Bowman is out for the rest of the season and LB Aaron Lynch is returning from his 4 game suspension. The team has little time to figure things out because they immediately have a game on Thursday night against NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals, who also hold a 1-3 record.

The defense is currently in a rough stretch of games. For the 3rd week in a row, they gave up over 400 yards of offense. It will get no easier with their defensive leader gone, who is the 2nd inside linebacker for the 49ers lost to a season-ending injury. NaVorro sets the defense and that will now likely fall on his backup. The remaining inside linebackers are Nick Bellore, Michael Wilhoite, Shayne Skov, and Gerald Hodges. Nick Bellore came in when Bowman went out and seems like he will be the starter on Thursday alongside Wilhoite. Gerald Hodges had started the 1st 3 games, but did not play a snap against the Cowboys.

The rest of the defense will need to step their game up and the return of Aaron Lynch could be helpful. He is the pass rush specialist on the team. The defense will also rely heavily on Eric Reid, who along with NaVorro was the leader of the defense. Rookie Rashard Robinson has played very well recently and has been a lone bright spot for the defense. The 49ers defense may also have an easier time on Thursday if Carson Palmer does not play. Drew Stanton could be the Cardinals starter while Carson is dealing with the concussion protocol.

49ers Links

Very slow start | Slow Start For Torrey (Inman)

The defense needs his pass rush | Aaron Lost The 30 Lbs He Gained (Gantt)

Carson Palmer May Play Thursday (Barrows)

A Chance For Carson (Price)

What a sad scenario to go through again | Going On Without NaVorro (Williams)

Buckner Day To Day (Barrows)

He’s the veteran on this team | Reid Needs To Lead (Jones)

OC On Torrey Smith (Branch)

WR Updates (Fann)

Back to playing weight | Shedding 30 Lbs (Maiocco)

Palmer In Concussion Protocol (Maiocco)

Tim Ryan’s On Air Mishap (Biderman)

3 pass breakups for the rook | Rookie CB (Maiocco)

Will be influential on the sidelines | Bowman To Continue As Leader (Maiocco)

5 Takeaways (Maiocco)

The connection not there | Blaine - Torrey (Florio)

Injury Report (Maiocco)

Dark Money (Giwargis)

Paying The Price (Branch)

Blaine can’t complete the deep ball | Still Getting Open (Barrows)

Blaine INT (Biderman)

Nick Bellore’s time | Special Teamer On Defense (Biderman)

Real American (Keown)

Buckner Misses Practice (Biderman)

Back To Playing Weight (Biderman)

Beating The Cardinals (Jones)

Kap’s Effect (Rivera)

49ers Are The Old Warriors (BASG)

49ers Audio

Arians On Chip’s Offense (49ers Audio)

Calais Campbell On Buckner/Armstead (49ers Audio)

Put In Kap (KNBR Audio)

Ronald Blair (49ers Audio)

Decimated in that group | 49ers LB Injuries (KNBR Audio)

49ers Video

Hyde Mic’d Up (49ers Video)

Niners Talk (49ers Video)

Not much there | Assessing Passing Offense (49ers Video)

49ers Vs. Cardinals 1988 (NFL Video)

Sticking With Blaine (NFL Video)

Prepping For Carson (NFL Video)