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San Francisco 49ers: Positional Progress Report for First Quarter of 2016

By Peter Panacy

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches against the Dallas Cowboys during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Wilson was injured on the play. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) is tackled by San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold (58) during the third quarter at CenturyLink Field. Wilson was injured on the play. The Seahawks won 37-18. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebackers

Remember when general manager Trent Baalke said an inside linebacker wasn’t a need in the 2016 NFL Draft?

Well, the 49ers are now without Ray-Ray Armstrong (pectoral) and are also be without All-Pro NaVorro Bowman (Achilles) for the rest of 2016.

The backups? Gerald Hodges and Michael Wilhoite.

San Francisco’s pass rush has also been less-than stellar, and this team can’t get outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (suspension) back soon enough.

Up to Par

We can’t fault Bowman’s efforts at all this season. And it’s a tough blow to lose him for the year.

October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi's Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) is carted off the field during the third quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium. The Cowboys defeated the 49ers 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

The 49ers have managed to generate six of their eight total turnovers from the linebacker position. That’s good. Four of the team’s seven sacks on the year also emanate from the LB spot too.

Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; 49ers outside linebacker Aaron Lynch (59) looks on from the sideline during the second half of the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Francisco won 31-21. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Needing Improvement

The pass rush is far from perfect. Good thing Lynch returns in Week 5. Veteran linebacker Ahmad Brooks is a situational pass-rusher at best, and edge-rusher Tank Carradine is looking more like his preseason accolades are just that.

Second-year pro Eli Harold may be the most promising out of this group. But the results haven’t been there on paper or film.

And San Francisco’s run defense? Yeah, it’s ranked dead last in the NFL after four weeks. Setting the edge and plugging interior gaps — critical for linebackers — has been problematic in every 49ers game since Week 1.

Opponents know they can run the ball against the Niners front seven. And few, outside of Bowman, have shown they can stop the run.

Grade: D