R1 After a season-ending injury rocked the defense, the San Francisco 49ers made an urgent playoff move, signing Kyzir White as they fight to survive against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The San Francisco 49ers have been depleted on defense due to injuries. However, the Niners have reportedly signed a linebacker to bolster their depth heading into their Wild Card Round matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 11.
On Jan. 6, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported, citing sources, that the 49ers have agreed to a deal with veteran LB Kyzir White, who played for the Eagles in 2022 among other teams. Furthermore, this news comes after Matt Barrows of The Athletic reported on Jan. 5 that Tatum Bethune is done for the season with a groin injury.
Additionally, Linebackers Dee Winters, dealing with an ankle issue, and Luke Gifford, nursing a quad injury, will be re-evaluated later this week. Nonetheless, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in Eric Kendrick’s ability to step in for Bethune.
“He’s been here long enough,” Shanahan said (h/t 49ers Web Zone). “These games he’s gotten in, in the last couple of weeks, he’s done a good job of, and I’m glad that we got him for this situation.”
San Francisco have spent most of the 2025 season without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, and the toll on the defense is starting to show. Even so, the unit have shown resilience in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks, holding Sam Darnold and his teammates to just 13 points. Typically, that would be enough to secure a win, but the offense have struggled, managing only three points.
Looking ahead, it will be telling whether the defense have what it takes to maintain that form in the Wild Card Round against the Eagles, who enter the playoffs fresh off an NFC East title.
George Kittle Shares Optimistic 49ers Message
Even with George Kittle back in the lineup, the veteran tight end struggled to make a mark, finishing with five catches for 29 yards. After the loss, Kittle addressed the media, reflecting on the team’s underwhelming showing against the Seahawks on Jan. 3, while remaining hopeful about the playoff run ahead.
“Well, look, we lost at home to a division rival for the division and the one seed,” Kittle told reporters (h/t 95.7 The Game). “That sucks. That is what it is. And yes, I’m disappointed about it. It’s horrible. [The] good news is I get to play football next week. Whether it’s Saturday, Sunday, Monday, whenever it is, I get to play football again.”
Moreover, while the injuries continue to pile up on the Niners, they should have a couple of guys back for the game against the Eagles.
“We have a whole new season ahead of us,” Kittle added. “It is what it is. We just got to go to work. We have a week. Hopefully, we get Trent back. That’s super helpful. He’s a really good football player. Maybe Ricky. That’s horrible. I hate that; I hate losing. I hate losing to the Seahawks. But hey, we’re going to play football next week. And whoever it is, whenever what happens.”
Eagles Have a Rested Team for Wild Card Game
Philadelphia are coming off a Week 18 loss to the Washington Commanders, but the Eagles chose to rest a number of their players in preparation for the Wild Card Round. Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and others got the regular-season finale off, so that offensive unit will look to take advantage of a hurting 49ers defense.
