Three positions 49ers could make changes at after underwhelming start

Three positions 49ers could make changes at after underwhelming start originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The 49ers figure to be without a Pro Bowl-caliber every-down linebacker for half the season.

And for at least another week or so, they will not have two of their top-four wide receivers.

The 49ers have struggled to find reliable replacements at those positions.

In addition, they do not appear to be close to solving their issues in the defensive backfield with their pass coverage in nickel situations.

Coach Kyle Shanahan and his coaching staff have to do some problem-solving after their first three games of the season.

The 49ers must consider whether they can find upgrades at key positions through demotions and promotions.

Here are three positions where the 49ers could look to make changes to their depth chart after back-to-back poor performances in losses to the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams:

Linebacker

The 49ers appeared to signal their discontent with veteran linebacker De’Vondre Campbell when they began working Dee Winters, a second-year player, into the mix on Sunday against the Rams.

But Winters aggravated an ankle injury in the second quarter and did not return.

“We want to keep working to get the best guys out there and Dee has had a good camp and he showed that he deserves the chance to push him (Campbell),” Shanahan said.

The 49ers signed Campbell to a one-year, $5 million contract after veteran linebacker Eric Kendricks reneged on a verbal commitment at the beginning of free agency and went to the Dallas Cowboys.

San Francisco sought to add a veteran linebacker who could fill in for Dre Greenlaw, who is expected to make a midseason return after sustaining a torn Achilles in the Super Bowl.

Campbell has struggled in pass coverage as an every-down linebacker. He has allowed 14 receptions on 16 targets for 149 yards and one touchdown through three games. He also was called for a critical pass-interference penalty of 25 yards that placed the Rams…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/three-positions-49ers-could-changes-151335980.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-09-25 15:13:35

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