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San Francisco 49ers: Progress-report grades for each position a quarter through 2017

By Peter Panacy

GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 01: Quarterback Brian Hoyer #2 of the San Francisco 49ers walks on the field during the first half of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – SEPTEMBER 21: Cooper Kupp #18 of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled by NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on September 21, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Linebacker

The 49ers sorely miss rookie linebacker Reuben Foster (ankle), who managed just 11 snaps before going down with an injury in Week 1. And the Niners defense probably misses veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith, who is on injured reserve with a pectoral injury.

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SEC News: Foster to join USFL, South Carolina adds two commits
SEC News: Foster to join USFL, South Carolina adds two commits /

South Bound & Down

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    • In both Foster and Smith’s stead, the 49ers have been forced to start backup linebacker Ray-Ray Armstrong.

    Armstrong’s Week 4 interception against the Cardinals was a solid note. But he’s clearly a downgrade from the aforementioned talents.

    What the 49ers Are Doing Well

    San Francisco’s run defense, which was such a problem in 2016, is vastly improved through four weeks this season.

    A lot of that falls on the linebackers’ abilities to converge on the point of attack. Opponents are gaining an average of 3.3 yards on the ground, which ranks seventh in the NFL through the first-quarter mark of 2017.

    Not surprisingly, Armstrong and MIKE linebacker NaVorro Bowman lead the team with 21 and 17 tackles apiece, respectively. And both have run-stopping percentages of 8.7 and 8.9, respectively, per Pro Football Focus — both within the top 20 among all NFL linebackers.

    What Needs Improvement

    Bowman back on the field is reassuring, but the 29 year old isn’t exactly playing like his former All-Pro self.

    Missed tackles, like the one below, have become something of a regularity:

    Bowman has missed four tackles, which is tied for second most through four weeks.

    Coverage has also been an issue for both linebackers and, aside from a one-sack performance in Week 4, we haven’t seen much from SAM linebacker Eli Harold.

    This group needs Foster back in a big way.

    Grade: C-