Sacking Philip Rivers was 'legendary' for this upstart 49ers rookie

The San Francisco 49ers still wrapped up Week 16 as the NFL's worst-sacking team, boasting a meager 18 despite taking down veteran unretired quarterback Philip Rivers twice in the 48-27 Monday Night Football victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

But those two sacks are significant.

In a year defined by brutal injuries, particularly to key edge defenders like Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, the Niners' reliance upon their crop of rookie defensive linemen is looking as if it'll soon pay off, as the two quarterback takedowns were recorded by first-year pros, defensive tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West.

Collins, who has already made some splash plays this season, also recorded a forced fumble in the game.

It seems now as if West, San Francisco's fourth-round draftee out of Indiana, is beginning to get in on the playmaking action.

C.J. West notches 1st NFL sack, calls it a memorable one

Midway through the second quarter, West fought through an Indy double-team to get to Rivers, pushing the pocket the entire way for the sack:

Granted, Indy's offensive line entered the game shorthanded, and that issue was magnified after center Tanor Bortolini exited the game early with a concussion.

Still, for West to execute such a push like that and help invigorate the 49ers' otherwise lackluster pass rush is impressive.

"Got a dub back in Indy," West told 49ers.com immediately after the game. "This place has got a special place in my heart, so being able to play in front of some of the hometown people means a lot to me, for sure."

As for recording his first pro-level sack against a quarterback of Rivers' ilk, that was equally as special.

"It means a lot because I put in so much hard work and to show the world what I really can do," West continued. "To be able to sack a future Hall of Famer, man, it's legendary."

The Niners have to be hoping West has some more legendary sacks in the not-so-distant future, too.