Ahmad Brooks is ready to put Sunday's situation behind him.
Three days after the 49ers linebacker didn't play a single snap in the second half of the win over the Giants, Brooks shed some light. The 30-year-old said he was frustrated with playing time and took it out on defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.
"It obviously couldn't be taken back," Brooks said. "So they decided not to put me back in for the remainder of the game, but we're moving forward as a team."
With Aldon Smith returned and rookie Aaron Lynch impressing, Brooks was part of a three-man pass-rushing rotation. The Pro Bowl backer, who's started 58 consecutive games, realized the error of his ways on the flight back West.
"I felt bad," Brooks said, "and I didn't like that feeling. So I decided to apologize to Jimmy Tomsula because that's who I said those words to. I apologized and he accepted my apology.
"By me being a veteran, I can't bring that attitude to the team."
It's a good thing Brooks wisened up. LeGarrette Blount, Ben Tate and Jason Avant were all jettisoned this week after similar outbursts. Brooks himself was reportedly dangled in trade talks with the Browns earlier this season. However, he says the rumors had nothing to do with Sunday's episode.
Brooks isn't likely to see his usual workload going forward, but San Francisco needs him if the team is going to make the playoffs at 6-4. Will he come to terms with his reduced snaps?
"We've still got six games left," he said. "We still have the team to make it to the Super Bowl. We still have a team that's capable of making it to the playoffs. That's where our focus is as a team right now. We don't want to focus on distractions."
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