49ers LB Ahmad Brooks benched himself because he was upset with playing time
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks took himself out of Sunday's game against the New York Giants because he was unhappy with his playing time, Fox Sports' Mike Garafolo reported Sunday.
Citing a source, Garafolo reported that Brooks told his teammates and coaches he "didn't care to be part of a rotation" and thought he should be playing every snap. He was reportedly upset that some of his reps had gone to fellow linebackers Aldon Smith and Aaron Lynch.
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49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh only told reporters after the game that he and Brooks were "working through something," while stressing Brooks' importance to the team's overall success.
"We need Ahmad Brooks to win a championship. I feel that whole-heartedly, and have felt that way," Harbaugh said.
The 49ers reportedly almost dealt Brooks, who made the Pro Bowl last season, to the Cleveland Browns before the trade deadline earlier this month. But defensive coordinator Vic Fangio called that report "out of line." Brooks has 20 tackles, four sacks and a forced fumble for the 49ers this season.
"Honestly, I don't know what happened there," Lynch said of Brooks, according to NFL.com. "I don't know what the deal was. I love the guy. He's a big brother to me. As far as what happened off the field or on the field, I don't know what happened."
Despite the relative tumultuous nature of their season thus far, the 49ers' 16-10 win over the Giants on Sunday moved them to 6-4 and within one game of a playoff spot in the NFC.
-- Brett LoGiurato
