SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- San Francisco 49ers free safety Eric Reid has an idea as to what new teammate and strong safety Antoine Bethea is going through this week as he undergoes the NFL-mandated concussion protocol after being injured Sunday.
"I can definitely relate," Reid said this week. "It happened to me twice last year."
Indeed, Reid suffered two concussions as a rookie, in a Week 2 loss at the Seattle Seahawks and in the 49ers’ ninth game of the season, a Nov. 9 defeat at the Carolina Panthers.
Still, Reid, the 49ers’ first-round pick at No. 18 overall, did not miss a game and was chosen for the Pro Bowl after recording four interceptions, second-most among NFL rookies in 2013.
Entering this season, Reid is ranked No. 71 among all defensive players in the ESPN.com #NFLRanks project.
But with Bethea, signed as a free agent after eight seasons and two Pro Bowl campaigns with the Indianapolis Colts, concussed in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 34-0 exhibition loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, there is a sense of urgency in the 49ers’ secondary.
Sunday evening, Bethea Tweeted the following:
I'm doing well and I appreciate all of the concern!!
— Antoine Bethea (@ABethea24) August 18, 2014.
Said Reid later in the week: "Antoine’s going to be OK, but there are other guys that have got to step up."
Guys like Craig Dahl, who had five tackles against the Broncos after Bethea left the game, and D.J. Campbell.
Though coach Jim Harbaugh would not say where Bethea was in the protocol, Reid said Bethea was not showing "many post-concussion symptoms" on Tuesday.
"Guys that are playing in the preseason are one play away from being a starter," Reid said. "We have to take advantage of practice and get better."
Reid said he has improved this offseason in his "vision" on the field.
"Just going through progressions," he said, "trying to see it all more."
