The San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker depth chart is really hurting in Week 15. The team deactivated Gerald Hodges for what was described as a team rule violation. Now, the team has lost Nick Bellore to an elbow injury. Bellore suffered the injury in the first quarter, and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game.
Bellore started the season as a strictly special teams player, but injuries to NaVorro Bowman and Ray-Ray Armstrong opened the door for defensive snaps. Bellore has emerged as the team’s best remaining ILB, and while that is a low bar right now, it is still something. If you had told me losing Bellore would be a problem for the 49ers, that would tell me just how far thinks have sunk.
Michael Wilhoite is the only healthy inside linebacker on the roster. Since Bellore’s exit, the 49ers have used safeties Vinnie Sunseri and Antoine Bethea, and outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks alongside Wilhoite. It’s going to be a long afternoon.