Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: 3 big questions entering Week 3 vs. Kansas City Chiefs

By Akshaj Dwivedula

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Outside linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 11: Outside linebacker Justin Houston #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – AUGUST 30: Reuben Foster #56 of the San Francisco 49ers stands on the sidelines during their preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on August 30, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

No. 1: How will Reuben Foster affect the 49ers defense?

There’s no question the Niners are better off with linebacker Reuben Foster on the field. He’s a game-changing talent and a key part of this defense. His reactivation should be cause for celebration.

However, that hasn’t necessarily been the case. The main reason why: Fred Warner.

For as electric Foster was last year, with his hard hits and eye-popping play style, Warner has matched him in these first two games. An absolute beast, Warner has 22 combined tackles in his first two NFL games. He’s had a few very small rookie mistakes, but all in all, he’s been everything the 49ers could have hoped for.

It seems this leads to a happy conclusion. Foster and Warner on the field together brings back memories to the most dominant linebacking duo of the 21st century.

You know, this one:

49ers
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – DECEMBER 08: Running back Marshawn Lynch #24 of the Seattle Seahawks gets caught by linebackers Patrick Willis #52 and NaVorro Bowman #53 of the San Francisco 49ers after a gain of six yards early in the first quarter on December 8, 2013 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won 19-17. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

That’s right. I just went there. Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman, an unstoppable duo at linebacker. I’ve made this comparison before, and I’ll do it again and again.

However, the Mercury News reports that “Coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t ready to declare who’ll start at linebacker or how he’ll factor in the potential 49ers debut of Malcolm Smith.”

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Shanahan said to reporters (h/t 49ers Webzone) that, “I’d like to see [LB] Malcolm [Smith], too … So, we want to see how all of those guys do and it’ll be a tough decision at the end of the week, but a tough decision I’m going to be happy to have to make.”

This might be coach-speak, but any move that potentially takes Warner out of a starting role is a damaging one to the defense. At this point, veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith has become dead weight. Just being unable to make the gameday roster does that to a player.

Beyond potentially taking Warner out, Foster’s addition might change the way the 49ers run their defense. Foster is an elite athlete with the ability to cover both running backs and tight ends. Against a Chiefs team with Pro Bowlers at both positions, that allows for more flexibility with defensive play calling.

Foster also changes the way the 49ers play the run. Backup linebackers Brock Coyle and Elijah Lee were serviceable, but neither of them offer the same explosiveness that Foster does. The 49ers can be more aggressive with their run stopping since Foster has the ability to recover and erase mistakes.

Foster’s impact on the 49ers cannot be understated. It may lead to some negatives or some positives, but it will change the game on Sunday considerably.