The San Francisco 49ers invested a third-round draft pick in linebacker Nick Martin, hoping he could compete for a spot near the top of the depth chart. However, the rookie has yet to make his NFL debut, remaining inactive for each of the team's first six games.
That could be about to change. On Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 49ers were forced to adjust their linebacker rotation after star Fred Warner suffered a dislocated and fractured right ankle, seemingly ending his season. Tatum Bethune will start in Warner's place alongside Dee Winters.
The roster reshuffling opens the door for Martin to suit up for a game—initially likely on special teams, the role Bethune previously filled.
On Thursday morning, during an appearance on Bay Area radio station KNBR, general manager John Lynch discussed Martin, explaining why the rookie appealed to the 49ers and highlighting the progress he's made.
"Nick has been working really hard, and I think we kind of saw his progression in the preseason," Lynch said. "You saw a guy who was kind of all over the place, but man, you could see the explosivity. You could see the just rare athleticism, and then, the ability to uncoil, as I call it, and hit through people.
"And so, that's been there, and he's been in that lab that I've been talking about, and he's been getting better. He hasn't pouted. He's been getting better every week, and we'll see if this is his opportunity."
Lynch acknowledged that Martin's initial path to playing time will likely come through special teams.
"He's going to have to contribute on special teams, and then, see if we can find a way to get him on the field defensively," Lynch said. "But he brings a lot to the table. He is an explosive dude. And he's another guy that plays like a Niner linebacker, and we love that about him."
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