49ers safety Eric Reid done for year after biceps surgery

SANTA CLARA - The 49ers will be without safety Eric Reid for the remainder of the season after having surgery to repair a biceps injury Tuesday.

“Losing him is a big loss for our defense,” defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil said. “(Reid’s) leadership ability, his versatility, his playmaking ability will leave us with an obvious void, but it’ll be a great opportunity for some other guys to step up and fill those roles.”

Reid was one of San Francisco’s most talented defenders. The 2013 first-round pick lines up at inside and outside linebacker, has covered tight ends and played both safety positions. He ranks second on the team with 62 tackles behind fellow safety Antoine Bethea (66).

Reid, a leader in the locker room, joins key defenders NaVorro Bowman (Achilles tear) and Arik Armstead (shoulder surgery) as out of the lineup while the defense ranks at the bottom of the NFL in both yardage and scoring.

Second-year safety Jaquiski Tartt will be called on to replace Reid. It’s a familiar scenario for the second-round pick from Samford, who replaced Bethea in the final eight games of 2015.

Tartt played well as a rookie in Bethea’s place, making 34 tackles with a sack and an interception. He’s played roughly 30 percent of the defensive snaps in 2016 and is ready to see an increase.

“He’s got great range and ball skills. He’s got a knack for reading the quarterback,” O’Neil said. “He’s played a lot of football for us this year and he filled in and did a great job last year when Antoine Bethea went out. He’s a good football player.”

The 49ers will try to avoid setting a franchise record with 10 consecutive losses Sunday when they travel to play the Dolphins, who have won five in a row.