Fansided

San Francisco 49ers’ lauded defense is reeling

By Matt Cowlishaw

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Aug 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) zips up his jacket on the sideline with linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park. The Denver Broncos defeated the San Francisco 49ers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) zips up his jacket on the sideline with linebacker Aldon Smith (99) during the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Candlestick Park. The Denver Broncos defeated the San Francisco 49ers 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

The San Francisco 49ers’ 29-3 loss to division rival Seattle left the defense banged up and reeling.  Defensive tackle Ian Williams suffered a broken left ankle and was placed on injured reserve.  Fellow defensive tackle Ray McDonald is nursing not one, but two ankle sprains.  Promising rookie safety Eric Reid suffered a concussion.

Add to that the recent arrest of linebacker Aldon Smith on suspicion of DUI, and the 49ers have a lot of question marks heading into this week’s game against the up-and-coming offense of the Indianapolis Colts.

McDonald says he will play, and Reid passed the first leg of the NFL-mandated concussion protocol test on Friday after participating in a contact simulation after practice.

Reid still has to participate in more contact drills to be cleared, but expects to play.

“I went to the doctor yesterday and they said all my post-concussion tests were good – passed all my baseline tests, so I think I have to go back and get released for Sunday, but I should be fine,” Reid told CSN Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.

Going up against Colts’ quarterback Andrew Luck and the newly acquired Trent Richardson figures to be a challenge – if the 49ers want to get back on track, pulling this game out at home is of paramount importance.  While picking up a win is always the goal, getting a quality win against a quality opponent like the Colts one week after an embarrassing loss could boost the 49ers’ shaken confidence – a loss could be devastating.

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