Story byMike Masala, Niners WireWed, January 14, 2026 at 2:45 AM UTC·1 min readThe San Francisco 49ers have lost a lot at linebacker this year. Entering Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, they were without Fred Warner (injured reserve), Tatum Bethune (injured reserve), Nick Martin (injured reserve), Dee Winters (inactive due to injury) and Luke Gifford (inactive due to injury). With that, the 49ers entered the wild-card showdown with Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow as their two starters at the position despite both players being on the team for roughly a month. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKendricks played all 73 defensive snaps on Sunday and finished with 10 tackles (two for a loss) and a pass defensed, while Wallow played 72 snaps and finished with 11 tackles and a pass defensed. On Tuesday, former NFL offensive lineman-turned-analyst Brian Baldinger highlighted the pair of 49ers linebackers in his weekly social media film breakdowns. No one expected San Francisco's defense to play the way they did against Philadelphia, and the duo of Kendricks and Wallow were a big reason why the 49ers were able to upset the Eagles to move on to the divisional round. More 49ers: 49ers PFF grades: Best and worst grades from postseason win vs. EaglesThis article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Former NFL OL celebrates pair of 49ers' Eric Kendricks, Garret Wallow.