49ers general manager John Lynch stated that linebacker Dre Greenlaw may begin the 2024 season on the physically unable to perform list.
At the NFL Annual Meeting on Monday, Lynch told the Bay Area media that Greenlaw’s operation went well. However, the linebacker will probably miss a few games at the start of the season due to his February Achilles injury.
According to Lynch, “The Achilles takes a while.” “We need to be cautious, but Dre will assure you he’ll return by Week 1. I don’t think anything is impossible for Dre.” Perhaps a PUP circumstance.
In case Greenlaw isn’t ready for Week 1, the 49ers signed linebacker De’Vondre Campbell to a one-year contract as a backup. In addition, they signed Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, Curtis Robinson, and Ezekiel Turner to one-year contracts.
“I believe De’Vondre provides us with the chance,” Lynch remarked. “An extremely experienced guy who plays in the same style as us, who can step in for Dre when he’s not available.” Then, until Dre returns, we have three extremely talented men who have clearly performed at a high level.
In the event that safety Talanoa Hufanga has not fully healed from an ACL injury by Week 1, the squad also has a stand-in on the roster. Although nothing is assured with a serious knee injury, the USC graduate should be back this season after suffering the injury during Week 11 of the 2023 campaign.
Lynch remarked, “Talanoa is doing really well.” That’s the wonderful news. He is recovering incredibly well and is ahead of schedule. Talanoa is a laborer, and he is performing admirably.
Lynch believes that Ji’Ayir Brown, a free agent who may return to the Bay for a third season, has been growing into his starting role with veteran Tashaun Gipson. George Odum, a star on special teams, is another possibility to step in at safety.
According to Lynch, “We’re incredibly high on Ji’Ayir.” “His potential to develop into a playmaker as well as a player in that position in which we can truly trust him. We feel comfortable about those guys. Do you keep adding? We have George Odum; Gip is someone we have always stayed in contact with and will do so going forward. Should we add anyone else? We’ll see.
Although it seems like free agency is coming to an end, there might be one or two more movements.
Though the 49ers won’t blow the bank at the position, a number of prominent safety, including Josh Adams, Justin Simmons, Eddie Jackson, Mack Hyde, and Quandre Diggs, are still unrestricted free agents. They could hold off on adding the necessary depth until after the draft at the end of April.
Lynch, a safety inductee himself, admitted that “the safety market kind of took a beating.” I feel a little sorry for those folks. It took many years for the guys to reach a point where they were paid, and many of them were cut, which left some extremely talented players available. We decided to have a look because it would be silly to not do so.
