The 49ers will not have three key players on hand when they face the Browns on Sunday.
It’s been encouraging to see the San Francisco 49ers get fully healthy on offense.
Unfortunately, you can’t say the same for their defense and special teams. Kyle Shanahan announced on Friday at his press conference that the 49ers will be without three key players
against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.
Tatum Bethune
As expected, Tatum Bethune will miss his second consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. It would’ve required a miraculous recovery for him to be available against the Browns.
High ankle sprains require several weeks of inactivity. Luckily, the 49ers have their Bye Week after this game, giving Bethune a chance to return in Week 15 against the Tennessee Titans.
However, if Bethune is still not fully fit, a likely scenario, then the 49ers will have no problem sitting him again. They just signed veteran Eric Kendricks, so they have leeway to hold him out.
You do have to wonder if Kendricks plays well if they go back to Bethune. It’s not like Bethune is irreplaceable, despite playing fine since filling in for Fred Warner.
Eddy Pineiro
Another player who is expectedly out is kicker Eddy Pineiro. He injured his hamstring in the win against the Arizona Cardinals. Hamstring injuries are a bit similar to high ankle sprains.
Both are tricky and typically require several weeks off before returning. The 49ers have Matt Gay to fill in for him in the meantime.
Signing Gay seemed like a bit of a crazy move since he’s been producing a career-worst this season. However, he was perfectly fine against the Carolina Panthers, connecting on all extra points and field goals.
That will probably change against the Browns. The weather is expected to be adverse, which will make it extremely difficult to kick a field goal.
Sam Okuayinonu
Last but not least is defensive end Sam Okuayinonu. He is out with a high ankle sprain as well, so don’t expect him for a few weeks.
Okuayinonu has been an underrated pass rusher for the 49ers since Nick Bosa went down. He hasn’t been flashy, but he has contributed.
After Bryce Huff, he has the second-most pressures on the 49ers with 19. He also has the second-most sacks (2), but that isn’t saying much.
Either way, the 49ers’ defense isn’t in a position to lose pass rushers. Even decent contributors are huge for them, and they’ll be without him against Cleveland.
Giants DT Dexter Lawrence II Honors Childhood Friend’s Family With $10K Monthly Promise
East Rutherford, NJ – September 10, 2025
Dexter Lawrence II has become the anchor of the New York Giants’ defensive line — a force of strength, leadership, and consistency in the heart of the trenches. But behind the dominance at MetLife Stadium lies a story of loyalty and gratitude that stretches back years before his NFL career began.
When Lawrence was still a student with big dreams but facing financial struggles, his future nearly slipped away. At that crucial moment, the family of a childhood friend stepped in to help cover his tuition fees
, keeping him in school and allowing him to continue the path that would one day lead to the NFL.
For Lawrence, it wasn’t just about financial support. It was
a defining act of belief and kindness — one he vowed never to forget.
Since earning his NFL salary, Lawrence has honored that promise in the most steady way possible. For the past
seven years, he has been sending $10,000 every month to the very family who once gave him a lifeline. The commitment has already surpassed $840,000, far beyond what he once received. Yet for Lawrence, the total is not what matters. What matters is
gratitude repaid in action.
“They gave me hope when I could have lost it all,” Lawrence said. “I promised myself that if I ever made it, I’d never let their kindness be forgotten. Every month I send that support, it’s me keeping my word.”
And in a detail that few fans have noticed, that same childhood friend has quietly been by Lawrence’s side at nearly every game, a constant supporter from the stands while the world focused on the field.
In New York, Dexter Lawrence II is already celebrated as one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive tackles. But this story reveals another truth — that greatness is not only about sacks and tackles, but also about gratitude, loyalty, and bonds that stand the test of time.