Brooks to miss Sunday’s game because of sister’s death

The sister of 49ers’ linebacker Ahmad Brooks has died after a battle with lupus, ESPN reports.

Krsunthia Brooks died on Wednesday.

Williams said Brooks is now in New Orleans, grieving with his family. The memorial service has not been scheduled.

Brooks has been excused from the team’s Wednesday practice, but 49ers defensive coordinator Eric Mangini stated, via Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News, Brooks’ availability wasn’t something “definitive right now”.

When asked if his scheme will involve less blitzing like the gameplan utilized in Week 4 against the Green Bay Packers, Mangini said his plans would fluctuate depending on the opponent.

“So I don’t think it’s really going to affect us besides affecting us a little bit emotionally because of the circumstances”. On Thursday, Mangini said he’d sent Brooks a note, but hadn’t spoken with him.

Brooks has started every game this season and every one he’s played since 2011.

With Brooks out, the Niners will look to linebacker Aaron Lynch to pick up much of the slack against the pass. Lynch has had nine sacks in his last 14 games, including two against the Packers, and leads the 49ers with three sacks so far this year.

If Harold doesn’t start opposite Lynch, it probably will be Lemonier, whose only career sack came two years ago.

“He comes off like a really cool and collected guy”, Lynch said of Rodgers.

Left tackle Joe Staley, for a second consecutive day, rode a stationary bike in the weight room rather than practice because of Sunday’s knee injury.

The young defensive back said his self-evalution through four games has centered on defending the deep ball, a calling card of the Giants wideout. “Then you see him moving the pieces around, whether it’s the tight end, the ‘back, the wide receivers, it’s another way that he gathers information”.