Eric Reid moved to more of a linebacker role, Jaquiski Tartt remains strong safety

The San Francisco 49ers welcomed Eric Reid back to action last week, and it resulted in some changes this week. Reid played ten snaps in Week 6, rotating in behind Jaquiski Tartt and Eric Reid. Back near 100 percent in Week 7, Reid ended up playing more linebacker than safety.

The 49ers faced a Cowboys offense running three-receiver sets early on, and so the 49ers responded with nickel and dime packages. However, they went with new looks, rotating Ray-Ray Armstrong and Eric Reid next to Reuben Foster. Reid would sometimes play a little back in coverage, but he was in more of a linebacker than safety role.

After the game, Reid confirmed the coaching staff decided to play him in more of a linebacker role. Jaquiski Tartt has been playing really well in place of Reid, and it appears he has earned the strong safety role. Reid was playing well before he injured his knee, and so the coaches do want him on the field.

Reid said he is trying to embrace the new role, but it sounds like he was not all that overjoyed with it. Considering how bad the 49ers run defense was on Sunday, Robert Saleh and company will have some work to do figuring out what will work best. The 49ers gave up 147 rushing yards to Ezekiel Elliott, and 265 total rushing yards on the day. There is some work to do.