Eric Reid:
Erstwhile safety says he’s embracing new role as inside linebacker.
When he was sidelined for three games with a knee injury, 49ers safety Eric Reid said he expected to reclaim his starting role when he returned. That didn’t happen. On Sunday, a week after Reid was eased back into action at Washington, he played primarily inside linebacker and rotated with Ray-Ray Armstrong. Jaquiski Tartt retained Reid’s role at strong safety, a position where he has made 59 starts since entering the NFL in 2013.
“It’s a little different for me,” Reid said. “I’ve never played the position, but I’m trying to embrace it and learn as I go.”
Reid, who had three tackles, noted, “I’m still playing,” when asked about not reclaiming his safety spot. He is in the final year of his contract, and Tartt is signed through 2018.
“They told me it was the best move for the team,” Reid said. “So I’m just embracing my new role and trying my hardest to (make) an impact.” Rookie injured again: Reuben Foster still hasn’t finished an NFL game.
The rookie inside linebacker exited late in the third quarter with a rib injury after he missed the previous five games with a high ankle sprain he sustained in the season opener.
“He wanted to go back in the game, and he was cleared to go back in the game late in the fourth, but … I held him out just at the end,” head coach Kyle Shanahan said. “It was too important. I wanted to make sure we have him next week. The fact that he was good to go there, I’m assuming he’ll be good to go next week. But you never know. We’ll see what happens (Monday) when he wakes up.”
Foster was injured after he landed on his side tackling Ezekiel Elliott on a 5-yard gain. Foster returned after missing a play, but left for good after he was slow to get up on quarterback Dak Prescott’s 2-yard touchdown run 10 plays later.
Foster, who had five tackles, didn’t know whether he’d play Sunday at Philadelphia.
“I’ve got to come in here and get an MRI and treatment and just see what the doctors say about it,” he said.
In other injury news, right tackle Trent Brown left with a concussion. Briefly: C.J. Beathard had the most passing yards (235) by a rookie quarterback making his first start in franchise history. The previous mark was set by Tom Owen, who had 206 yards Oct. 27, 1974 . ... Cornerback Rashard Robinson was flagged for pass interference and illegal contact on the Cowboys’ third drive. Robinson has eight penalties this season . ... Wide receiver Pierre Garcon (five catches, 49 yards) became the 66th player in NFL history with 600 receptions. Garcon (602 catches) is seventh among active players.