Yetur Gross-Matos has endured a largely frustrating first season with the San Francisco 49ers after signing a two-year contract in free agency.

The versatile pass rusher has been hindered by a knee injury for much of the campaign, but he exploded for three sacks last Sunday as the 49ers got back to winning ways to keep their playoff hopes alive with a blowout of the Chicago Bears.

It was the first three-sack game of his career for the former second-round pick of the Carolina Panthers.

Gross-Matos's previous high was 2.5 sacks for the Carolina Panthers in a defeat to the Buffalo Bills in 2021.

And his new career-best was enough for Gross-Matos to receive the NFC Defensive Player of the Week award for Week 14.

Gross-Matos is only the second 49ers defensive lineman to win the award since 2005, joining Nick Bosa, who is a five-time recipient.

With Bosa, who has missed the last three games with hip and oblique injuries, sitting out the 49ers' only practice ahead of Thursday's must-win matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, there will likely be an emphasis on Gross-Matos to create disruption to help San Francisco contain Matthew Stafford and Co.

Gross-Matos delivering another three-sack showing is unlikely, but a performance in which he helps get Stafford and the Los Angeles offense out of rhythm could prove even more important than his efforts against the Bears.

49ers’ Talanoa Hufanga performs hilarious forfeit after losing wager on alma mater USC’s defeat to Notre Dame

It backfired on the All-Pro.