Niner Noise
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5 players who can benefit from swarm of 49ers injuries in training camp

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers tries to tackle Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 31: Ryan Carrethers #90 of the Los Angeles Chargers tries to tackle Joe Williams #32 of the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 31, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Linebacker Korey Toomer

San Francisco has a logjam at linebacker, namely due to this offseason’s uncertainty surrounding Reuben Foster and his now-resolved legal issues.

When the Niners inked veteran linebacker Korey Toomer as a free agent this offseason, they didn’t know they’d take BYU’s Fred Warner in the 2018 NFL Draft. And they surely weren’t aware of Foster’s eventual outcome.

Foster is back, though. Warner is in the mix for a starting job. San Francisco also has veterans Malcolm Smith and Brock Coyle vying for starting time. As a result, Toomer has to be seen as a fringe player and, at best, special teams contributor for this upcoming season. That is, of course, if he even makes the roster.

Toomer’s chances increased a bit against Dallas, particularly after Smith exited early with a minor hamstring issue. Meanwhile, Coyle has been dealing with a hip injury for most of training camp.

During his extended on-field time versus the Cowboys, Toomer was impressive. He finished the night with four tackles, including two for a loss, which bodes well for his chances to make the squad as a second-level run defender — an area in which he excels.