49ers position grades, analysis from sloppy Week 7 loss vs. Colts

49ers Linebackers: D

Hats off to linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair for recovering the fumble by Carson Wentz on EDGE Nick Bosa‘s pass rush within the red zone. And Al-Shaair also had a tackle for a loss, too, even though one of his fourth-quarter tackles actually ended up helping Indy get a first down.

Not too much to complain about there, though.

Instead, more complaints could be levied against fellow linebacker Fred Warner, who also clearly hasn’t been at his best this season and doesn’t look like the 2020 All-Pro he was last season. While Warner was tied for the team lead with seven solo tackles, it says something when Indianapolis was able to generate 148 yards rushing with over 100 of them coming from running back Jonathan Taylor.

The 49ers had to expect that, given the weather conditions, but there were more than a few misses and shortcomings in key situations that led to the Colts extending drives.

Warner will be fine, and Al-Shaair is a good reserve option to have. But for one of the Niners’ better positional units to come up short in a key prime-time matchup is awfully disappointing.