The San Francisco 49ers lost a key player on the defense at their open practice at Levi’s Stadium. Ian Rapoport reported shortly after practice that an MRI revealed that Malcolm Smith will be out for the season due to a torn pectoral muscle. Those of us in attendance saw the linebacker get hit in the forearm during one play, sit out for a play, go back in for one, and then never return.
Rough blow: #49ers veteran LB Malcolm Smith is out for the season with a torn pec, sources say. The MRI revealed the news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2017
Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated that this could be a long term injury for the linebacker but that there was still hope that he would be able to come back. Unfortunately, that is not that case.
Teammate NaVorro Bowman spoke to the media after practice and stated that the two of them had been “gelling” together in practice, taking a lot about what the offense was doing. He also added that Ray-Ray Armstrong and Reuben Foster are both smart football players that have the ability to step up.
Smith was the biggest free agent signing of the 49ers defense in the 2017 offseason. He signed a five year $26 million contract, 11.5 million guaranteed.