Eric Kendricks News: In line for larger role

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Kendricks has moved into the starting role at linebacker with Tatum Bethune (groin) out through the postseason, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Kendricks was elevated to the active roster in late December and made his first appearance with the 49ers in Week 16, recording six tackles (three solo) in three games. Bethune is just the latest domino to fall in terms of injury on San Francisco's defense, which will head into the postseason without Mykel Williams (IR, knee), Nick Bosa (IR, knee) and Fred Warner (IR, ankle), and with Dee Winters (ankle) questionable for Sunday's wild-card round matchup against the Eagles. The team hopes Kendricks can act as a bridge for a potential deep playoff run until Warner is healthy, per David Lombardi of SFStandard.com.