SANTA CLARA — A little more than one year after suffering a season-ending knee injury, 49ers linebacker Curtis Robinson will get his first NFL start on “Monday Night Football.”

What makes Robinson’s start even more meaningful is what happened just before the linebacker’s ACL injury, which coach Kyle Shanahan explained on “49ers Talk.”

“It was actually kind of a sad story,” Shanahan said. “But about 20 minutes before he tore his ACL, that was the first time that I told him he’d be starting that week. It was the first start of his career, and he had earned it. We were going to move him ahead of [New York Giants linebacker Demetrius] Flannigan-Fowles.”

Robinson, who attended Stanford University, was a two-year starter at the MIKE linebacker spot but entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, originally with the Denver Broncos. In December of 2021, the 49ers signed the linebacker to the practice squad and he has been with the team ever since. 

Before San Francisco’s 2024 Week 4 contest with the New England Patriots, Robinson, who had played predominantly on special teams, received the news of his promotion from his head coach.

“I just told [Flannigan-Fowles], which was tough for him, but they were so tight, so he was happy for Curtis,” Shanahan said. “And then it was about 20 minutes later that Curtis tore his ACL in special teams [practice] before he even got to a defensive rep. So he was about to have his moment and then he had that setback, which I know crushed the team for him.” 

Flannigan-Fowles is ecstatic for his former teammate of four seasons to get an opportunity to show what he is capable of. 

“I’m extremely proud of him,” Flannigan Fowles told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He absolutely deserves it and I have no doubt in my mind that he is going to thrive. Every time he gets an opportunity, he takes full advantage and I’m just extremely happy that he’s finally able to get this opportunity given everything he’s been through.” 

Robinson, who was the 49ers’ nominee for Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2024, is respected throughout the locker room. Most of his teammates did not know the linebacker waited an extra 13 months to get his first NFL start. 

Even position mate Tatum Bethune, who took over when Fred Warner suffered a season-ending ankle injury, had no idea that Robinson’s start had to be postponed. 

“That’s crazy how life works,” Bethune told NBC Sports Bay Area. “So he will be getting his chance this week and next. I’m excited for him. Curtis is one of the older guys in the room, so other than Fred, he’s the one teaching us most of the time.” 

Typically when players have lower-body injuries, they do whatever they can to stay as ready as possible to play, and that includes working out any body parts they can. Kyle Juszczyk smiled sharing he has noticed a physical change with his teammate, making his way back from ACL surgery. 

“Super smart, super cerebral,” Juszczyk told NBC Sports Bay Area. “He’s going to put guys in the right spot, and he’s also a physical freak. All that time he was rehabbing his ACL, he was doing bicep curls. He’s jacked.” 

Robinson, who is also the 49ers’ NFLPA representative, has the entire building behind him, ready for his debut as a starter. Shanahan fully believes in the veteran’s ability as a leader and can’t wait to see what he is able to show on the field. 

“He is one of the most-liked guys on our team,” Shanahan said. “He’s as good of a person, as good of a dude, as I’ve ever been around. And he’s worked for this moment and we’re excited to see him get his opportunity.”

Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast