49ers snap count vs. Eagles: Injuries result in a lot of shuffling

The San Francisco 49ers suffered numerous injuries in their Week 8 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and it reflected significantly in the snap count. I’ve posted the full snap count below, and you can read the full gamebook PDF.

The 49ers came into the game short-handed, with RT Trenton Brown, ILB Reuben Foster, and DE Aaron Lynch all inactive due to injury. Add in Jimmie Ward, Joe Staley, Garry Gilliam among those getting hurt, and it was a busy day.

The injuries to Staley and Gilliam resulted in Erik Magnuson making his first NFL appearance. Zane Beadles took over at right tackle for Gilliam, then moved to left tackle when Staley got hurt. That resulted in Magnuson coming in to play. He is primarily a guard, but he was the 49ers last dressed offensive lineman. After the game, Kyle Shanahan said Garrett Celek was the emergency offensive lineman.

On defense, Eric Reid was playing weak side linebacker, rotating with Ray-Ray Armstrong while Brock Coyle started at middle linebacker. I wondered if Reid would move back to safety when Jimmie Ward got hurt, but Adrian Colbert instead got a lot of run. Colbert has worked his way into more playing time, and with Ward potentially headed to IR with a broken arm, the rookie will continue to see starting snaps.

The other big change saw Ahkello Witherspoon move into the starting lineup in place of Rashard Robinson. Witherspoon started opposite Dontae Johnson, with Leon Hall replacing an injured K’Waun Williams as the nickel back. Robinson was the fourth cornerback, not getting his first defensive snaps until the second half.