Good morning everyone. Bad news for the San Francisco 49ers yesterday as they learned linebacker Malcolm Smith would be out for the entire season with a torn pectoral muscle. It’s incredibly unfortunate given he was one of the bigger signings of the offseason for San Francisco, signing a five-year, $26 million deal with $11.5 million guaranteed.
If you asked me before Saturday, I’d have said that the 49ers have a crowded situation at linebacker with a new defense and some new faces. With Smith down, it’s a whole lot less crowded. I was hoping, as I’m sure everyone here was, that Reuben Foster would earn some playing time, but I was ultimately confident in having a veteran like Smith around.
His absence makes things tougher, but the 49ers are still in a good place when it comes to the linebacker position. Then there’s the issue with Joshua Garnett, a big blow in my opinion. The 49ers can talk about having veteran guards all they want, but the fact is it’s a definite weakness on the roster.
Hopefully, no more of those injuries happen, yeah? Let’s get on to your links for the day. Enjoy.
49ers linebacker Malcolm Smith out for the season (Branch)
Josh Garnett may require surgery to ‘clean up’ knee (Biderman)
49ers confident in veteran guards with Garnett out indefinitely (Maiocco)
49ers camp observations: Standout players from the open practice at Levi’s Stadium (KNBR)
49ers’ practice report: Hoyer still sizzling; tackle talk (Branch)
A brainy bully? Shanahan’s 49ers practices pack unexpected punch (Barrows)
49ers training camp: Three things we learned Saturday (MercuryNews)
49ers practice recap: Brian Hoyer shines in Levi’s Stadium open practice (Biderman)
49ers practice report 8: Hoyer stays sharp, Beathard pushing for No. 2 role (Barrows)
49ers bring back linebacker amid injuries (Biderman)
Why wristbands aren’t Kyle Shanahan’s accessory of choice (ESPN)
Beathard placing himself in competition for backup job (Maiocco)
49ers won’t rush Rueben Foster into starting role (ESPN)
Remember DeAndre Smelter? The Former Fourth-round Pick is Making Plays at 49ers Camp (49ers)
Kyle Shanahan Provides Injury Update on LB Malcolm Smith, G Joshua Garnett (49ers)