SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -Manny Lawson’s injury didn’t look serious at first. San Francisco’s up-and-coming linebacker simply seemed to step awkwardly during practice, and he even pedaled a stationary bike afterward.
The next morning, the 49ers learned Lawson will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee on a noncontact play. Just like that, San Francisco’s promising defense was forced to figure out how to thrive without one of its most important parts.
“I was really looking forward to doing big things this year for my team,” said Lawson, who feared the worst after hearing a pop in his knee. “The hardest thing is just knowing I won’t be able to be out there practicing and playing in games with the guys.”
Lawson, a starting outside linebacker in the 49ers’ 3-4 defensive scheme, tore his anterior cruciate ligament during Wednesday’s practice.
The speedy 6-foot-5 linebacker plays the strong side, covering tight ends and rushing the passer with equal vigor. Coach Mike Nolan envisions him as a versatile defensive star who will be around the ball constantly – but it won’t happen until next year.
Lawson was second on the team with 14 tackles while the Niners got off to a 2-0 start, showing clear improvement from his rookie year. San Francisco’s defense has been largely responsible for the club’s strong start, holding its opponents to 33 points in two games despite meager production from the Niners’ offense.
“Manny had done a nice job the first two games,” Nolan said. “It’s a disappointment that he got injured, but at the same time it’s a team that wins games, not just an individual. I think our guys will rally around the position, and we’ll be fine.”
Lawson started 11 games last season after San Francisco chose him with the 22nd overall selection, making 65 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks.
Veteran Hannibal Navies and seldom-used second-year pro Parys Haralson are the top candidates to replace Lawson, though one player probably can’t fill all of Lawson’s roles. Nolan said he probably won’t name a replacement for Lawson until game time Sunday in Pittsburgh.
Navies, a ninth-year pro with his fourth NFL team, started three games for the 49ers late last season.
“I’m not just some guy that just got here and all of a sudden needs to be playing,” Navies said. “Obviously, I’ve been in there playing a lot last year in the defense. I know the players, I know the coaches, I know the scheme, so it’s not uncommon.”
Inside linebacker Brandon Moore also might have a chance to claim Lawson’s spot. Moore was San Francisco’s leading tackler last season, but has been a backup this year after standout rookie Patrick Willis claimed his starting spot during the preseason.
“It’s still something that I’ve done in the past, something that I’m comfortable with,” Moore said. “Manny is an exceptional athlete. I know everyone around him had a lot of expectations for him. It’s a setback for him, but Manny’s the type of guy that will definitely rebound from this and come out on top.”
Though San Francisco had eight linebackers on its roster after the club’s conversion to a full-time 3-4 defense, the Niners’ defensive depth already has taken a few hits. Jay Moore, a fourth-round pick expected to provide depth at the position, was lost for the season with an ankle injury late in training camp.
“Obviously it’s time for the backups to get an opportunity to step up and do something,” Nolan said. “We have four outside linebackers, so obviously it will come from one of the other two backups.”
Nolan also wouldn’t say how the 49ers plan to fill Lawson’s roster spot after placing him on injured reserve. San Francisco could re-sign linebacker Roderick Green, who was among the club’s final cuts in the preseason, or sign Mark Washington from the practice squad.
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