:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4835397/20121119_ter_se9_053.0.jpg)
As the San Francisco 49ers picked up another win in Week 14 over the Dolphins, they did not do so without losing a key special teams player. According to a report from Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk, the 49ers have placed two-way specialist Demarcus Dobbs on the injured reserve, which effectively ends his season.
Dobbs suffered a knee injury and did not appear to be seriously hurt at the time of the play. After hobbling off the field, he was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game. After undergoing a series of tests with the training staff, it has been decided that he will not be returning in 2012.
The loss of Dobbs could be a substantial one for the Niners. He has experience playing both tight end and defensive end, and he's involved on kickoff coverage, as well. As San Francisco fans know all too well, a weak special teams effort can cost the team their season in the playoffs. Look for the team to sign a replacement in the coming days.