SF 49ers: 5 biggest unsung heroes in Week 3 win vs. Giants

No. 3: SF 49ers EDGE Kerry Hyder

Perhaps no bigger injuries garnered more of a spotlight than the season-ending ACL tears to edge rushers Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas in Week 2.

As a result, San Francisco’s defensive line looks entirely different than what Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh envisioned prior to the regular season. While the rookie, defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, continues to impress after being the No. 14 overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, perhaps more attention should be given to one of the SF 49ers’ depth pass-rushers, Kerry Hyder.

Hyder picked up his second sack of the season, currently leading the Niners defense in this particular category:

That was one of three quarterback hits Hyder registered. And if it wasn’t for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones getting rid of the ball early, Hyder would have recorded even more takedowns.

One of those pressures led to Jones throwing an interception, picked off by linebacker Fred Warner.

This proves teams don’t always have to generate sacks for pressure to be effective.

Hyder, who had a career-high eight sacks back in 2016, is looking to be San Francisco’s best pass-rusher early this season. And he was a prime reason why New York managed only nine points in Week 3.