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San Francisco 49ers: 5 lineup predictions over the remainder of 2018

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and defensive back Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon #23 and defensive back Antone Exum #38 of the San Francisco 49ers can't stop running back Melvin Gordon #28 of the Los Angeles Chargers as he rushes into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/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. 4: Reuben Foster Gets Shut Down for the Rest of 2018

The 2017 and 2018 seasons couldn’t have been any more different for second-year linebacker Reuben Foster.

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Well, aside from one thing: injuries.

Foster was playing at a Pro Bowl level his rookie season, likely prevented from actually receiving the accolade from having missed six games. In 2018, though, he regressed and then some, still leading the defense with 12 missed tackles.

A shoulder injury has been the primary culprit. It’s tough watching Foster trying to make plays literally with one arm, and it’s likely carrying over to almost every aspect of his game.

The 49ers need Foster to be fully healthy moving forward. And if 2018 is awash with setbacks, there’s little point to keeping him active. Unlike last season, San Francisco’s depth at linebacker is OK enough to get by. While not totally perfect, the trio of linebackers — Fred Warner, Malcolm Smith and Dekoda Watson — can man the line over these final six contests.

At some point, perhaps very soon, the Niners elect to shut down their budding linebacker while looking to evaluate the other veterans, seeing if there’s a niche for them in 2019.