Golden Nuggets: Reuben’s Chance

High expectations have been placed on the 49ers defense after the last few drafts have resulted in high picks on that side of the ball. One of the pieces that will be a big part of the future, Reuben Foster, will likely have to start sooner than thought. Free agent signing Malcom Smith has a torn pectoral injury and was placed on injured reserve Monday. The injury catapults Reuben up the depth chart and he practiced with the 1st team defense on Monday.

Malcolm was the likely starter beside NaVorro Bowman. He was the highest paid defensive free agent the 49ers signed this offseason. His experience with Robert Saleh’s system made him the perfect player on this defense and a player Foster could learn from. But with Smith on injured reserve and out for the season, Foster will compete with Ray-Ray Armstrong for the rest of training camp. Foster has shown flashes during training camp showing why the 49ers selected him in the 1st round.

The 49ers released the 1st depth chart of the season ahead of Friday’s 1st preseason game. Reuben Foster is listed as the starting WILL linebacker. But the depth chart is not the official depth chart, so Ray-Ray will still get the opportunity to compete. As of now, Reuben is the favorite to win the job and partner with NaVorro.

49ers Links

An important piece of the offense | Pierre’s Addition (Wagoner)

Monday’s Practice (Inman)

Aiming for the backup spot | C.J. Beathard Working Hard (Wagoner)

Too break | Malcolm’s Injury (Williams)

Top Highlights (Martin)

His season is over | Malcolm Smith on IR (49ers Staff)

Injuries (Barrows)Injuries

Malcolm’s Season Probably Over (Biderman)

IR (Alper)

Injury Updates (Fann)

Back to Practice (Biderman)

Getting his shot | 1st Team (Williams)

Observations (Fann)

Earning the Trust (Jones)

Recap (Biderman)

Ahkello Witherspoon (Barrows)

Good to see the emotion | Shanahan Shows Emotion (Jones)

Will he take advantage of the opportunity? | 1st Day with the Starters (Cohn)

Monday’s Lessons (Inman)

The 1st round pick with the 1st team | Reuben Foster (Branch)

Malcolm Sticking Around (Wagoner)

Looking to be a Starter (Wagoner)

What everyone is looking forward too | Bowman-Foster (Barrows)

Zane Keeping the Streak Alive (Branch)

Not a lock that he will be a starter | Evaluating His Competition (Fann)

Looking to Surprise (Maiocco)

Practice 9 (Barrows)

Logan Paulsen (Martin)

Foster’s Shot (Maiocco)

Unofficial | 1st Depth Chart (Barrows)

2017’s 1st Depth Chart (Biderman)

He’s earning his starting spot | Hyde’s Spot (Florio)

49ers Video

1st Preseason Game (NFL Video)