How Tatum Bethune earned Kyle Shanahan’s confidence amid Fred Warner’s absence

SANTA CLARA — Facing the Atlanta Falcons without Nick Bosa and Fred Warner will be a challenge but Christian McCaffrey believes the 49ers’ defense has young players who are ready for their opportunity.“It’s obviously a huge blow losing those guys but hopefully we can emulate their leadership, and the standard at which they play,” McCaffrey said on Wednesday. “I think I’m excited about these young guys coming up, because they had one of the best leaders in the world in Fred, so they’ve been watching him do it.“To see them and watch them get an opportunity, that could be exciting.” The All-Pro ball carrier was describing Dee Winters and Tatum Bethune, the latter of which will wear the “green dot” as the captain of San Francisco’s defense. Winters earned the starting role alongside Warner during training camp while Bethune was thrust into action on Sunday after the All-Pro left the field with a season-ending ankle injury.“They run and hit,” McCaffrey said of the linebacking pair. “They have a high standard and they play the right way. They have been watching the best do it, so I...