49ers run defense rises to the challenge without Fred Warner

• The 49ers bottled up Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ running backs: Atlanta managed just 54 net rushing yards on 19 running plays, averaging 2.8 yards per rush, and failed to produce a single run of 10 yards or more.

• Tatum Bethune stepped into Fred Warner's role: The second-year linebacker earned a 76.0 run-defense grade, recording four solo tackles, two assists and three run stops (including one tackle for loss or no gain).

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There was every reason to expect the San Francisco 49ers defense to take a step back in Week 7. Without All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, sidelined by an ankle injury, and still missing star edge rusher Nick Bosa, the unit entered the matchup shorthanded. On paper, it looked like a tough challenge — especially against an Atlanta Falcons offense boasting one of the NFL’s most efficient and physical rushing attacks.

Instead, San Francisco turned the supposed mismatch into a statement win for its depth and discipline.

The 49ers bottled up Bijan Robinson and the Falcons’ running backs, holding them to their lowest rushing grade of the season. Atlanta managed just 54 net rushing yards on 19 running plays, averaging 2.8 yards per rush, and failed to produce a single run of 10 yards or more.

A team that had lived on contact balance and power suddenly looked ordinary, finishing with only 2.2 yards after contact per carry and just four forced missed tackles.

Atlanta Falcons: EPA per rush (Week 1 to Week 7)

That dominance didn’t come against a struggling opponent. Heading into the matchup, Atlanta ranked sixth in EPA per rush and fifth in yards per carry. The Falcons were averaging a full yard before contact on each attempt and led the league in both yards after contact and missed tackles forced.

At the heart of that success was Bijan Robinson, who entered the week ranked fourth among running backs in PFF rushing grade and first in both yards after contact per attempt and missed tackles forced. He had been the league’s most consistent creator after contact — until he ran into the 49ers front.

By the final whistle, San Francisco had flipped the script entirely.

Replacing a player of Warner’s caliber is almost impossible, but Tatum Bethune stepped into the role with poise and physicality. The second-year linebacker earned a 76.0 run-defense grade, recording four solo tackles, two assists and three run stops (including one tackle for loss or no gain).

Although two missed tackles slightly lowered his grade, Bethune’s awareness and burst filled a massive void in the middle of the defense.

He wasn’t alone. The 49ers’ defense as a unit earned a 69.2 run-defense grade, 10th among all teams in Week 7.

San Francisco 49ers run-defense report (min. 10 snaps)

Warner’s absence loomed large — through five weeks, he owned the highest PFF overall grade among linebackers and ranked top-three in both run defense and coverage grades.

But the 49ers didn’t just survive without Fred Warner. The team smothered one of the NFL’s most productive rushing offenses and reminded the rest of the league that in San Francisco, the standard rarely slips — even when they lose star player after star player to injury.

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