SANTA CLARA -- It was an unusual sight for the 49ers to begin a defensive drive with both DeForest Buckner and Nick Bosa on the sidelines.
After both defensive stars were on the field for more than 90 percent of the defensive snaps in Week 15, coach Kyle Shanahan decided to make a concerted effort to give them more rest. The defensive linemen had been much more effective earlier in the season when they each were playing fewer snaps.
“We haven’t done what we anticipated going into the games the last couple weeks,” Shanahan said.