![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-M9DvdqLeNPFUUNA50DsY4zJZHQ309nR4gJ7g3HoMupHZEgn0R7SPK5eY8l13Kc9HW0J9T4bZ8xmw4nlB_XCibJRx9vEK5QSZYk4MJKp8bxEZLlOKqc7NqxhDWHmw6dW1K0x4A/s320/SF+Gate.png)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWrnM05FmEX-CHjnuW6rG98u-WcyPVdBgyZTq0fhhzT8RF1OUET7HLR7RrCRM2BXEl4GnuOSLxUXifKXFYdogxK5aJZC-lRiOQ9SP7g8lJCR1ZLSfMqA1Q8HB5AdtxZFhuTzo1w/s640/11-10-14+Borland+thriving+link.bmp)
By Eric Branch
November 9, 2014
NEW ORLEANS — There is a silver lining to the toe injury that sidelined All-Pro inside linebacker Patrick Willis for his third straight game Sunday: His absence has made it abundantly clear that the 49ers got a third-round steal when they selected Chris Borland in May.
Subbing for Willis, Borland collected 17 tackles — two for losses — and recovered a fumble in a 27-24 overtime win against the Saints. After outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks sacked Drew Brees, Borland pounced on the loose ball. Phil Dawson delivered the game-winning field goal one play later.
In his past two games, Borland has 35 tackles. His 18 tackles in a 13-10 loss to the Rams on Nov. 2 were the most in the NFL this season.
Borland, 5-foot-11 and 248 pounds, slipped to the third round after a decorated career at Wisconsin because of his size and so-so speed.
“Regardless of the 40s, and the height and the weight, you can’t take anything away from a football player,” safety Antoine Bethea said. “And that’s what he is. When he’s on that football field, he makes plays and gets to the ball.”