Nick Martin has been a regular on the San Francisco 49ers' weekly inactive list. The rookie linebacker, drafted in the third round, has yet to even suit up for a regular-season game—an unusual situation for such a high draft investment.
That may soon change. With star linebacker Fred Warner out for the season due to an ankle injury, the 49ers have promoted Tatum Bethune into the starting lineup. Before Warner's injury, most of Bethune's snaps came on special teams, which could now create an opening for Martin to contribute.
In a recent mailbag, The Athletic's Matt Barrows outlined how Warner's absence might impact the linebacker rotation. He noted that Curtis Robinson is expected to serve as Bethune's primary backup going forward.
"Up until this point, Bethune has been one of the stalwarts on special teams, snaps the 49ers will want to eliminate or reduce now that he's an every-down defensive starter," Barrows wrote. "Martin is a prime candidate to take over Bethune's special teams role."
That opportunity could arrive as early as Sunday night, when the 49ers host the Atlanta Falcons, aiming for their fifth win of the season.
Could Martin's role expand beyond special teams?
Barrows also sees potential for Martin to carve out a defensive role as the year goes on.
"As we saw in the preseason, Martin is also explosive at linebacker," Barrows wrote. "I wonder if the 49ers will start working him at strongside linebacker, which is similar to weakside linebacker, as the season goes on.
"Luke Gifford is in that spot right now, but the 49ers have replaced him at times with a 'big nickel' defender like safety Ji'Ayir Brown. Martin seems like a composite of Gifford and Brown."
Martin played four seasons at Oklahoma State, registering 203 tackles (24 for loss), seven sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two passes defensed, per Pro Football Reference.
The rookie has been waiting for his chance. Now, with Warner sidelined and Bethune moving up the depth chart, the 49ers may need Martin to contribute sooner rather than later.