49ers roster: 5 players who’ll be cut by 2021 season’s end
By Peter Panacy
No. 3: 49ers Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
It’s a bit of a toss-up which depth linebacker the 49ers prefer between Marcell Harris and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, as both have received approximately the same percentage of special teams and defensive snaps in the wake of numerous injuries at the position this season.
Nevertheless, the Niners will have to make a decision between one of the two, namely with starting linebacker Dre Greenlaw poised to make his return soon after suffering a groin injury way back in Week 1.
Harris, the converted safety, might have originally been the first choice, although the Niners may now be leaning more towards parting ways with Flannigan-Fowles even though they clearly like his special teams abilities.
Call it a 51-49 split here, but that seems to be the probable move once Greenlaw returns.
An even tougher choice might be which starting linebacker to deploy, Greenlaw or third-year pro Azeez Al-Shaair, who has performed admirably in Greenlaw’s stead since Week 1.
Those latter two, however, will remain on the roster regardless of what the pecking order is.