Tag: Dre Greenlaw

49ers have tough decisions to make with 2 star free agents

San Francisco is weighing stardom vs. availability when evaluating LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga’s pending free agencies.

San Francisco will have a series of franchise-altering decisions to make when the 2025 offseason arrives.

Among those are what to do with pending defensive free agents in linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga.

Greenlaw has been a staple of San Francisco’s defense during his six seasons with the franchise. Alongside Fred Warner, Greenlaw has helped form one of the NFL’s best linebacking duos.

Even before his Achilles injury in Super Bowl LVIII that sidelined him until last Thursday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams, Greenlaw’s career has been hampered by nagging quad, groin, calf and hamstring injuries. Since being selected in the 2019 NFL draft, Greenlaw has missed 34 games.

The results speak for themselves, though. As ESPN’s Nick Wagoner shared, San Francisco’s defense limits opponents to 19.7 points per game and boasts a 44-19 record in its 63 regular season games with Greenlaw.

In the 34 games without Greenlaw, San Francisco is just 16-18 and allows 21.1 points per game.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2021 draft, Hufanga was a first-team All-Pro in the 2022 season. Hufanga has played in just four games this season and entered the year working his way back from a torn ACL in his right knee that ended his 2023 season in November of last year.

After returning from his ACL injury to begin the 2024 campaign, subsequent ankle and wrist injuries shelved him for most of this season.

On Wednesday, San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked how the team will weigh the duo’s respective star power against their availability when the offseason and their pending free agencies arrive.

“That goes into factoring everything. That’s what’s unfortunate. Nothing those two guys can do differently about it. But those are two of the better players I’ve been around and two of the better players on our team and two of the main reasons we’ve had the success here we’ve had. So, hopefully we can do everything we can to work out keeping them here because they’re as much of examples of 49ers as anyone I can think of,” Shanahan said.

It’s clear that Shanahan has an affinity for the duo and would like to keep both Greenlaw and Hufanga around.

Shanahan wasn’t surprised that both stepped right in and played well in their respective returns either.

“That’s what they’ve done the other times. One of the best games I’ve seen a linebacker play is, I think ’21, when Dre played in Week One versus Detroit and didn’t come back until Week 17 versus the Rams. We needed that game to go to the playoffs and that was the first time I’ve seen someone miss 16 games and come back and play at that level. So it doesn’t surprise me at all,” Shanahan said of Greenlaw.

“Huf’s, he came back earlier in this year and with having a wrist injury and stuff, he’s been able to get ready for this opportunity a little bit more than coming off his ACL that he had before that. So Huf’s been chomping at the
bit to get back and he was more ready for that moment.”

In his season debut, Greenlaw played just 30 defensive snaps before exiting with knee and Achilles soreness, but he racked up a quick eight tackles and the 49ers limited the Rams to just 12 points.

Hufanga tallied five tackles in a 38-13 blowout win over the Chicago Bears in Week 14. San Francisco held Chicago to just four yards of first-half offense in that victory over the Bears, which was the lowest mark of any NFL offense in a first half this season.

Then, against the Rams last week, Hufanga totaled eight tackles and 1.5 stuffs.

Even with possible free agency looming, Shanahan said that pair can help provide an energy to the 49ers’ locker room during these final three games of the season.

“A ton. I think you guys can see how, I think Huf going out there the Sunday before, and I think our safeties have played pretty good this year too, but just Huf the person and his communication and just having him out there I think was very inspiring.

“And then adding Dre the next week, or four days later, one, how good of a player he is and how big of a difference he makes just from that, but the style of how he plays really adds to our defense and makes everyone else better around him, not just adding a good player,” Shanahan said.

San Francisco (6-8) hopes that the spark from that duo can roll on into this week when the 49ers travel to Miami (6-8) to battle the Dolphins from Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff on Sunday is set for 1:25 p.m. PT.

49ers open Week 16 practice with 3 players missing, 5 limited

The San Francisco 49ers had a busy practice report to open Week 16 preparations for the Miami Dolphins.

With the postseason virtually out of reach, the San Francisco 49ers can start turning an eye toward the 2025 season. However, it doesn’t appear the 49ers are aiming to start shutting things down with three games to go.

San Francisco’s practice participation report from Wednesday featured a trio of players missing, including left tackle Trent Williams and running back Isaac Guerendo. Williams is still working through an ankle issue. Guerendo had a hamstring injury crop up during the team’s Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Beyond that, players like defensive end Nick Bosa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw were still participating in practice on a limited basis despite playing through injury issues of their own.

Bosa has been dealing with hip and oblique problems since Week 10, and they cost him three games before his return against the Rams. Greenlaw made his season debut in Week 15 after recovering from a torn Achilles. He left the game with what head coach Kyle Shanahan classified as fatigue and soreness. That both players were in practice to begin the week is a good sign for their chances to suit up Sunday in Miami.

Did not participate

DT Maliek Collins (illness)
RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
LT Trent Williams (ankle)

Limited participation

DE Nick Bosa (hip, oblique)
LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles, knee)
OT Jaylon Moore (hip)
S Malik Mustapha (chest)
G Nick Zakelj (illness)

Full participation

G Aaron Banks (elbow)
S Ji’Ayir Brown (groin)
LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee)
S Talanoa Hufanga (wrist)
LB Dee Winters (neck)

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Did pending 49ers free agent hint at return to team in 2025?

Did San Francisco LB Dre Greenlaw hint at a possible 49ers return?

San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw has fought like crazy to get back onto the football field in a 49ers uniform.

After tearing his Achilles in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs last February, Greenlaw embarked upon a grueling rehab and recovery process.

It wasn’t until this past Thursday in the 49ers’ 12-6 loss versus the Los Angeles Rams that Greenlaw finally made his 2024 season debut for San Francisco.

Greenlaw joined KNBR radio’s “Murph & Markus” on Tuesday to discuss his return to the field and his pending unrestricted free agency.

“Just been through a lot the past nine, 10 months, so honestly just going out there and having fun, playing for my teammates, just laying it all on the line, man. It’s been a long time since I played football, so I was excited and happy to suit up,” Greenlaw said of his return.

Greenlaw was the final 49er to come out of the tunnel versus the Rams, leading to a raucous ovation from the Faithful.

“It definitely was like a dream come true, just very special moment. I didn’t expect that type of roar or anything. I didn’t expect anything, but I know the moment was just big for me to be able to do that. So, when I heard that roar and that cheer, it just gave me goosebumps,” Greenlaw said of the fans’ reception.

It could be bittersweet for San Francisco fans, though. Greenlaw is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if the 49ers don’t place a franchise tag upon him or reach a contract agreement before the start of the new league year on March 12, 2025.

With just three games left in the 49ers’ regular season, Greenlaw is aware that the franchise’s future and his potential free agency is on the San Francisco fan base’s collective minds.

“My attitude, honestly, I’m not thinking about all of the free agency stuff. I’m just thinking about three games that I’ve got left with my teammates. At the end of the day, I’m probably going to be a free agent regardless, so I can’t, I’m not trying to rush the process of being a free agent.

“I’ve got three games left to enjoy with Fred and Bosa and Purdy and all those guys. When that time comes, I can’t stop it. I can’t do nothing about it, so all I can do is just enjoy these three games,” Greenlaw said.

Selected in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL draft, Greenlaw has been a part of some special San Francisco seasons. The 49ers have advanced to a pair of Super Bowl appearances and two other NFC Championship games while Greenlaw has been a member of the franchise.

When asked about those playoff near-misses, Greenlaw might have hinted at his desire to be back in San Francisco in 2025 and beyond.

“There’s always unfinished business, definitely feel like that. I can’t really control… I mean, right now we’ve got three games left, we’re barely in the playoffs or we’re not even in the playoffs. This is definitely unfinished business,” Greenlaw said.

“Just got to figure out a way to get back there. It’s just a tough process, man. Only got about three games left. That’s definitely what’s on your mind, definitely hoping you get that chance, but that time will come sooner or later. You just hope it’s sooner.”

Greenlaw knows what this team and franchise are capable of and there’s comfort in the familiarity of San Francisco.

Greenlaw is close with fellow linebacker Fred Warner. The two have historically trained together during NFL offseasons and they have combined to form one of the NFL’s best linebacking duos.

49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said after the Rams game that Greenlaw is his favorite teammate he has played with.

“I appreciate Nick. Nick just talking, but I appreciate it, though,” Greenlaw said with a laugh. “No, that’s big time, man. I heard that from him. I actually was kind of getting some recovery done. I heard him kind of talking about me a little bit, so it’s cool to get that, those words from a great player, a great teammate. That’s who you do it for anyways. I go out every day, play my ass off so I can get the respect of those guys and my coaches, so for me to have battled as long as I have and for him to say that, it just makes everything worth it.”

Those relationships and the respect from San Francisco’s other defensive stars should help the 49ers in their efforts to re-sign Greenlaw.

While joining KNBR, Greenlaw was also asked to dissect what he’s seen from San Francisco in 2024 while sidelined and why this season hasn’t played out like anticipated.

“We’ve just got to play with a lot more heart. We’ve just got to leave it out on the table, everybody on the team do. I feel like we’ve still got the same guys and same mentality that’s out there that we’ve had in the past. It’s just with this league we’ve got to bring it every year, bring it every game. Just because we’re the 49ers doesn’t mean teams are going to try to roll over or they’re going to try to let us go by. We’ve still got to go out there and take it.

“I just felt like with injuries it made it a lot tougher, because a lot of the guys that we, CMC, Brandon, guys that are tough, blue-collar, hard-working guys, we didn’t have those guys out there. Sometimes when you don’t got all the parts to the machine, the machine don’t go as well like it used to. I think we’ve just got to get everybody healthy,” Greenlaw said.

In his return against the Rams, Greenlaw flashed again with a quick eight tackles. Greenlaw exited midway through the contest with Achilles and knee soreness, though.

Greenlaw says he expects to be good for San Francisco’s Week 16 date at Miami.

“My knee was a little off, a little tweaky. I feel better this week. Luckily we had a few extra days to go, so I definitely feel better this week. Just doing everything I can to make sure I can go Sunday. I should be up, no doubt should be able to go Sunday,” Greenlaw said.

Kickoff between San Francisco (6-8) and Miami (6-8) is set for 1:25 p.m. PT from Hard Rock Stadium with the game set to be televised on CBS.

49ers update injury report day after loss vs. Rams

Kyle Shanahan provided next-day injury updates on linebackers Dee Winters and Dre Greenlaw and safety Ji’Ayir Brown.

The San Francisco 49ers (6-8) fell on Thursday night against NFC West rival Los Angeles, 12-6.

Along the way, linebackers Dee Winters and Dre Greenlaw and safety Ji’Ayir Brown exited with injuries.

On Friday, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan updated that trio’s status on a conference call with reporters.

“Alright guys, injuries from the game. Ji’Ayir Brown had a groin, checked out pretty good, though. He’ll be day-to-day. Dee Winters, same thing with his neck. He’ll be day-to-day also. Greenlaw with his Achilles, knee, checked out good, so he’s just dealing with some soreness. He should be good going forward. He’ll be day-to-day. And that’s it from the game,” Shanahan said.

It’s good news across the board for the 49ers with Brown, Winters and Greenlaw.

Another welcome sight was defensive end Nick Bosa remaining healthy and off the latest injury report. Bosa had missed three games with hip and oblique injuries before returning and playing 47 snaps against the Rams.

“Yeah, no report of anything today, so it was awesome to get Nick back and he really helped us. It was a good sign that they didn’t tell me about anything today,” Shanahan said of Bosa.

The 49ers also updated the status of left tackle Trent Williams.

“He’s trying to get back. This has been a frustrating injury for him. It hasn’t healed like he or we would like. Hopefully, having these 10 more days before our next game, hopefully that gives a better chance.

“Trent’s doing everything he can to get back, but he is injured. With the injury, there is a chance he will get back, but it has to start recovering and it’s been a lot slower than anticipated,” Shanahan said.

Williams has missed four consecutive games with his ankle injury.

The 49ers close their 2024 season with games at Miami on Dec. 22, versus Detroit on Dec. 30 and at Arizona on Jan. 5.

Why Dre Greenlaw didn’t return after exiting vs. Rams

The 49ers linebacker made his highly-anticipated return to the field on Thursday night against the Rams.

Thursday marked the highly-anticipated return to the field for San Francisco 49ers’ star linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Greenlaw suffered a torn Achilles in last year’s Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs and has missed the first 13 weeks of the 2024 NFL season.

It didn’t take long for Greenlaw to return to form. In the first half, the former Arkansas Razorback recorded eight tackles in the first half to lead the 49ers and help limit the Los Angeles Rams to only three points.

However, his season debut was cut short. Greenlaw spent most of the second half on the sideline. Following the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed why Greenlaw didn’t return to the field down the stretch against the Rams. Shanahan said Greenlaw was dealing with fatigue and soreness due to his Achilles injury.

Via @nwagoner on Twitter:

With Greenlaw sidelined, the 49ers turned to De’Vondre Campbell in the second half. Yet, the veteran linebacker refused to enter the game, according to Shanahan. Campbell instead exited the game to the locker room and left the sideline during Thursday Night Football.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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49ers inactives: Lots of good injury news vs. Rams

Thursday Night Football against the Rams will mark the return of two key pieces on the 49ers’ defense.

For the first time maybe all season, the San Francisco 49ers are getting good news when it comes to injuries and inactive for their Thursday Night Football tilt against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.

Before the positive news, the 49ers announced six inactive players for Thursday night, including All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams and rookie safety Malik Mustapha. New running back Israel Abanikanda is also listed as inactive along with QB Joshua Dobbs, DL Khalil Davis and CB Rock Ya-Sin.

Via @AdamSchefter on Twitter:

While they’ll have to figure out how to deal with the Rams without Williams and Mustapha, the 49ers will be getting back defensive star Dre Greenlaw and Nick Bosa.

Along with the highly anticipated returns for Bosa and Greenlaw, the 49ers will also have breakout running back Isaac Guerendo on the field on Thursday. Guerendo has been banged up since his performance last week against the Bears. The rookie running back has been dealing with a foot sprain.

The 49ers will kick off against the Rams on Thursday night at 5:20 p.m. PT.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

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Dre Greenlaw officially activated, OL placed on IR

Dre Greenlaw is officially back for the San Francisco 49ers.

The San Francisco 49ers on Thursday made Dre Greenlaw’s return official when they activated him off the PUP list.

Greenlaw has been on the PUP list since training camp began while recovering from an Achilles tear he suffered in the Super Bowl. After a full practice participation Wednesday, Greenlaw was officially listed as questionable for Thursday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium.

NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport on Thursday morning reported Greenlaw would be eased into action, intimating he won’t immediately take over his every-down role as the Will LB alongside Fred Warner. That spot has been held by veteran DeVondre Campbell all season. Greenlaw could take on the Sam LB role where he primarily plays in run situations. Dee Winters has taken that job for most of the season.

In a corresponding move, the 49ers placed offensive lineman Ben Bartch on IR after he sustained a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bears. That opened a roster spot for Greenlaw. Bartch performed well in place of starting left guard Aaron Banks who missed two games with a concussion. Spencer Burford will now slide up to the backup LG spot.

Running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn was also elevated from the practice squad for a second consecutive week. He could be the backup to RB Patrick Taylor if Isaac Guerendo can’t play because of his foot sprain. Guerendo is officially questionable.

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Why Dre Greenlaw is returning for the 49ers in Week 15

Here’s why Dre Greenlaw is coming back for the 49ers on Thursday Night Football.

Somewhat in the shuffle of a chaotic Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers last February was a poor stroke of luck for star linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

The standout defender tore his Achilles while running onto the field during the game’s early portions, which broke Fred Warner’s heart. It’s one of the more tragic and weird injuries we’ve ever seen in the NFL, and it set back Greenlaw, who was an important building block for San Francisco. The linebacker has been slowly rehabbing and working his way back into action with hopes of returning for a 49ers team on the NFC playoff bubble.

On Thursday night, Greenlaw will finally see all of his recent hard work pay off. According to Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are officially activating the linebacker for action, and for the first time in approximately 10 months, he will play some measure of snaps against the rival Los Angeles Rams:

Greenlaw’s return, even if in a likely limited capacity at the start, comes at a perfect time for the 49ers. They are currently the No. 11 seed in the NFC and are in serious danger of missing the postseason just a year after winning the conference. Unfortunately, the 49ers also do not control their own destiny.

Greenlaw might be the boost — from a play and morale standpoint — that springboards a scorching-hot end-season run for one of the NFL’s marquee organizations.

49ers get good injury news on LB after devastating injury

Dre Greenlaw is set to return.

The San Francisco 49ers finally got some good injury news.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw is on track to make his return Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams at Levi’s Stadium according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Greenlaw tore his Achilles running onto the field during Super Bowl LVIII and has been on the PUP list since the offseason. He had his 21-day practice window opened ahead of Week 13, but he was ruled out of both Weeks 13 and 14 after two weeks of limited practices.

Leading up to Week 15 he had a projected limited practice Monday, then was limited Tuesday before getting a full practice in Wednesday and receiving a ‘questionable’ designation on the team’s injury report.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan on Monday intimated Greenlaw had a chance to return against the Rams, so it’s not a huge surprise the team intends to have their start linebacker suit up for the first time this season.

For Greenlaw to play, there will have to be a maneuver to open a spot on the 53-man roster.

The 49ers have missed his athleticism in the second level, and if he returns it’s unclear what his role will be. He could take back his starting Will LB spot where he’s on the field alongside Fred Warner for all three downs. He may also take over the Sam LB spot where he’s only on the field in the base defense.

Rapoport reported Greenlaw will be eased in, which means he’ll likely take on the lesser role as a third LB instead of taking a lion’s share of the game’s snaps right away.

Greenlaw, a free agent this offseason, has played in 62 games with 54 starts since joining the 49ers as a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft. He’s been credited with 446 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 14 pass breakups and three interceptions.

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49ers $8 million bargain defender projected to cut ties with San Francisco, fit Cowboys

The Cowboys might be shopping for linebackers in the offseason and the 49ers’ Dre Greenlaw could be a good fit.

The Dallas Cowboys have rebuilt their linebackers corps on the fly. After having one of the worst units in the league last season, things have changed. The biggest difference seems to be the change in philosophy between defensive coordinators Dan Quinn and Mike Zimmer. The difference isn’t in how they want to play their linebackers, but more about the edict they give their defensive line. Quinn preferred to focus solely on pressuring the QB while Zimmer does pay attention to stopping the run.

Personnel makes a huge difference, too, and the decision to bring in Eric Kendricks to play middle linebacker has paid off in recent weeks. Kendricks leads the team in tackles through Week 13 with 104, and has been a great mentor for DeMarvion Overshown, who appears to be a star in the making.

Only, Kendricks is in Dallas thanks to his prior relationship with Zimmer and if the latter is gone in the expected coaching house cleaning, Kendricks’ free agency may not see him retained. So a new middle linebacker could be necessary for the next coaching regime.

At least, that’s the thought process of Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department, who collectively think that San Francisco’s Dre Greenlaw would make a perfect replacement.

Eric Kendricks will be a 33-year-old free agent in the offseason and was brought in because of his relationship with Mike Zimmer. However, Dallas’ defense entered this weekend 31st in the NFL for points allowed and there is speculation that the entire coaching staff could get fired at the end of the campaign.

In other words, the front office might be looking for a veteran linebacker this spring. Greenlaw is coming off a torn Achilles but returned to practice this week. At his best, the six-year veteran is a top-tier linebacker who is well-rounded—excelling in coverage and against the run.

Dallas has rookie Marist Liufau on deck. The Notre Dame product was drafted in the third round and has played throughout the season, though his snaps have decreased over the last five games or so. Depending on the next scheme put in place, he could be a consideration in the middle or he could be used as a strongside backer.

Greenlaw hasn’t played in 2024, but he’s been a plus coverage defender with the 49ers, earning coverage grades of 82.6 and 79.5 the previous two seasons.