Linebacker Dre Greenlaw might have played his final snap as a San Francisco 49er.
The 2019 fifth-round pick is being shut down for the final two weeks of the 2024 season according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Greenlaw is slated to be a free agent after this season.
It’s a tough way for Greenlaw to end his comeback from an Achilles injury he suffered in Super Bowl LVIII. He battled back to suit up in Week 15 where he made it through one half before exiting with fatigue and soreness. The following week he started and played only four snaps before leaving the game with a right calf injury.
Shanahan on Monday said there was a chance he’d be done for the year. He included that decision wouldn’t be made without Greenlaw’s input.
There are obvious reasons the star LB would want to play the final two weeks with his free agency lingering. Putting more film out for teams would be helpful, but it comes at the risk of further aggravating his calf. Greenlaw tore his left Achilles, but was dealing with tendinitis in his right Achilles in the lead up to the Super Bowl.
Shutting him down to give him the best chance at being fully healthy for next season makes a ton of sense.
The 49ers won’t have much expendable cap space in the offseason, but re-signing Greenlaw should be a priority if his market doesn’t price them out. He flashed enough in limited snaps to show his value to the 49ers’ defense. However, there’s a strong chance his play showed LB-needy teams he’s still worth a sizable contract, and that may force San Francisco to let him go in free agency.
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