Bekanntmachungen » team playing out the string. [u

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Not much has gone right for the 49ers during their second straight woebegone season.San Francisco (1-12) is mired in the longest losing streak in team history. The defense ranks last in most key statistics.Then theres rookie defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who has been a rare bright spot.Buckner, the seventh-overall pick in this years draft, has lived up to his billing. Hes coming off his best performance of the season in the overtime loss to the Jets, when he had two sacks, 11 tackles and four quarterback hits. He tied for the team lead for the season with five sacks.The rookies value lies in both his production and availability. His 65 tackles are second among NFL defensive linemen, while he leads the league in snaps played at his position.Its awesome, isnt it? Its so awesome. He wants to be out there, 49ers defensive coordinator Jim ONeil said.Buckners listed at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, making his stamina and athleticism all the more impressive, and a leading reason why he was a coveted prospect.Its very rare for a guy thats that big and the amount of energy it takes to defeat offensive linemen in the run game and pass game, and (the way) hes able to be out there for 84 plays is rare, said ONeil.Buckners used to playing a lot opposite a no-huddle offense. He was recruited by 49ers head coach Chip Kelly back at Oregon and regularly played 80 to 90 snaps as a senior when he was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2015.He plays with such great effort and such a great motor and just loves playing football, Kelly said. I think hes been trained for this. I know the background that he came from. I think hes trained to play with great effort. I thought he was trained to understand what it takes. So, I think thats a benefit of getting a kid from where we got him from.The play of Buckners supporting cast hasnt been nearly as encouraging. San Franciscos last-ranked defense has been decimated by injuries, losing six starters for the season, including Buckners former college teammate and fellow first-round pick Arik Armstead.The biggest loss has been four-time All-Pro NaVorro Bowman, who was lost for the year Oct. 2 with a torn Achilles. Bowman returned to the teams facility in recent weeks to start his rehab, which has gotten positive reviews.Its good to see (Bowman) around here, Kelly said. I think hes helped just kind of getting another set of eyes here. But, its good to see him up moving around. Those guys say hes attacking rehab and are excited about the direction that hes headed in.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Old Skool Clearance . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. Cheap Old Skool From China . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. http://www.cheapoldskoolchina.com/ . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Cheap Old Skool China . -- Quarterback Will Finch threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, and Yannick Harou rushed in two scores as the No. Discount Old Skool . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. DETROIT -- Minnesota center Joe Berger was evaluated for a concussion, leaving the Vikings without the dependable lineman late in the first half of Thursdays game at Detroit.Berger has been a regular starter for the Vikings since the middle of the 2014 season.Berger, a native of Newaygo, Michigan, played at Division II Michigan Tech and went undrafted. He has playedd for the Miami Dolphins, the Dallas Cowboys and then the Dolphins again before joining the Vikings.dddddddddddd This is his sixth season with Minnesota.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL . ' ' '