ATLANTA - After inside linebacker Nick Bellore was injured on the 49ers’ third defensive play Sunday, he was replaced by Vinnie Sunseri.
Sunseri was promoted from the practice squad Nov. 22. He’d played 14 career defensive snaps before kickoff. And he’s a safety who weighs 210 pounds, or five more than spindly wide receiver Torrey Smith.
Surprise: He was ill-suited to serve as an emergency inside linebacker.
On Sunday, Sunseri wasn’t just as an out-of-position safety, but a symbol for a defense that was comically overmatched in 41-13 loss to the Falcons at the Georgia Dome.