49ers LB Ahmad Brooks benched for missing meeting

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks said Sunday that he inadvertently missed a morning defensive meeting Tuesday but showed up an hour later for a second meeting focused on domestic violence.

''There was a meeting earlier in the week, yes, defensive meeting,'' coach Jim Harbaugh said. ''And other guys had a better week. He was in a backup role today.''

Brooks said nobody told him he wouldn't start or play at all Sunday, when San Francisco lost 24-13 to the Oakland Raiders to see its playoff hopes take another hit. He had his streak of 60 straight starts snapped dating to 2010.

''Oh, man, I must've just forgot that we had a meeting,'' said Brooks, who thought it was a day off though San Francisco had three days last weekend off after playing Thanksgiving night.

Brooks said from his understanding he thought he would play in some capacity, even after receiving fewer reps in practice during the week, noting, ''They never once told me that I wasn't going to be playing at all.''

The 30-year-old Brooks said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio asked him at the time what had happened.

''It's frustrating, very frustrating,'' Brooks said. ''They have their plan of what they want to do and all I can do as a player is just abide by the rules. No, I do not agree. I'm just a player, I'm just a number, you know what I mean?''

The ninth-year pro has 27 tackles, five sacks and a forced fumble for the 49ers (7-6). There was a report earlier this season the 49ers had tried to trade him to Cleveland.

Last month, Brooks said he was benched for the second half of a 16-10 road win against the Giants for heated words he directed at defensive line coach Jim Tomsula in the second quarter.

Brooks was frustrated with his playing time on a day linebacker Aldon Smith returned for his season debut following a nine-game suspension. The outside linebacker apologized to Tomsula and said they have moved forward.

Brooks said he doesn't know what his future might hold with the 49ers. In February 2012, he signed a six-year contract extension through the 2017 season.

''I'm not here to point fingers. I'm not the only one that's ever missed anything. Of course there's been other people that's missed or been late,'' he said. ''But I'm not going to point fingers. I own up to my responsibilities. I wasn't there. They made a decision. It is what it is. We'll just go forward from there.''

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