Niner Noise
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49ers’ player stock watch after Week 1 of 2019 OTAs

By Peter Panacy

ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Dylan Thompson #13 and Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers talk during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
ENGLEWOOD, CO - AUGUST 27: Dylan Thompson #13 and Jarryd Hayne #38 of the San Francisco 49ers talk during a joint training session with the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos at the Denver Broncos Training Facility on August 27, 2015 in Englewood, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Malcolm Smith #51 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles tight end Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 28: Linebacker Malcolm Smith #51 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles tight end Jermaine Gresham #84 of the Arizona Cardinals during the fourth quarter at State Farm Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Stock Down: Linebacker Malcolm Smith

The 49ers added to their linebacking corps this offseason by grabbing free-agent backer Kwon Alexander and drafting former Arkansas linebacker Dre Greenlaw in Round 5 of the draft.

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While Alexander (ACL recovery) and Warner (knee) weren’t practicing initially, their presence on the roster spells bad news for veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith, whose two-year stint in San Francisco has been nothing but disappointing.

Smith, after missing 2017 with a torn pectoral, dealt with hamstring issues early in 2018 and was eventually relegated to backup duties late last year. The 49ers subsequently renegotiated his contract to a one-year deal, which expires in 2020.

And it looks as if Smith isn’t on the field during OTA starts, either.

“We hope we can have him later in OTAs,” Shanahan said of Smith, who is dealing with an ankle injury, during his post-practice presser.

Considering the other investments San Francisco has made at the position, Smith needs all the reps he can get between now and roster cuts. Avoiding the injury bug would be a good thing, too.

It appears he’s not quite able to accomplish that just yet.