SF 49ers: 3 players Kyle Shanahan will call on most amid injuries

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2: SF 49ers Defensive Lineman Arik Armstead

When defensive tackle DeForest Buckner was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason, it was assumed defensive end Arik Armstead would be the leader along the defensive line as he was now the longest-tenured 49er in that position group.

In addition to that, Armstead finished 2019 with a career-best 10 sacks. But it was thought that he would have Nick Bosa playing on the defensive line with him.

That hope went out the door when Bosa was lost for the season with an ACL tear in Week 2.

With Buckner departed, Bosa out for the season, and Dee Ford on a delayed timetable for his return, Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh will be relying on Armstead to take another huge leap in his career.

In 2019, he went from a player with four mostly forgettable seasons to a top player on the SF 49ers defense. In 2020 he will now have to be the best player along the defensive line and be an emotional leader for a team whose postseason hopes are still hanging in the balance right now.