3 ways 49ers can overcome loss of Dre Greenlaw in 2024

The 49ers lost Dre Greenlaw to a brutal Achilles injury in Super Bowl 58, and that setback could easily leak into the 2024 regular season.

The sting the San Francisco 49ers will feel from losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 will linger for a while. And it'll probably linger into the 2024 regular season, too.

But for some, what happened in the Super Bowl will linger into next year, quite literally and physically.

Linebacker Dre Greenlaw suffered what appeared to be a serious Achilles injury in the first half, which forced him to exit the game and not return. It also happened in a fluky matter, too, which makes the heartbreak even that more devastating:

Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed to reporters after the game that Greenlaw tore his Achilles, which will not only make the Super Bowl's outcome that much harder but may also impact the linebacker's chances of being ready by the start of the 2024 regular season.

Doctor David Chao might be one to follow for Greenlaw's recovery prognosis, but it's safe to say there's a strong chance he won't be ready by training camp. Perhaps not even by Week 1.

So, how would San Francisco go about replacing him if he's not available?

How 49ers absorb Dre Greenlaw injury (if it lingers into 2024)

49ers option No. 1: Re-sign 1 of 2 key backups

The 49ers immediately turned to one of two key backups after Greenlaw's injury, veteran Oren Burks. Originally signed as a free agent in 2022 to bolster special teams, Burks had become the de facto No. 1 backup option to support Greenlaw and Fred Warner.

Burks, however, is a free agent this offseason. And so is another primary backup, Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, who has also been a primary reserve in support of the Niners' starters.

The Niners are projected to be over the 2024 salary cap by $3.7-plus million, according to Over the Cap, so re-signing both of those players is probably out of the question.

One of them, though, is a bit more likely. Neither is a key defensive contributor either, meaning they'd be on the cheaper side of things.

49ers option No. 2: Promote Dee Winters, Jalen Graham

Cap issues could ultimately force San Francisco to part ways with both Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Oren Burks, but it appears as if the 49ers have prepared for that outcome with contingency plans.

Last spring, the Niners used two day-three picks on linebackers Dee Winters and Jalen Graham in the NFL Draft. While neither was a major impact player on defense for San Francisco, there has been a successful pipeline for rookies to proverbially "cut their teeth" in year one before taking on a bigger role a year or two later.

Winters, who appeared in 15 regular-season games for the 49ers last year, appears closer than Graham.

Depending on how the Niners feel about the former, Winters may ultimately be the go-to option to replace Dre Greenlaw at the outset.

49ers option No. 3: Go after a linebacker in free agency, NFL Draft

San Francisco might want to stockpile some linebackers this offseason regardless of what happens with Dre Greenlaw and in light of both Dee Winters and Jalen Graham being there.

For starters, Greenlaw's injury could linger well into 2024. It's possible Winters and Graham both struggle, while Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles and Oren Burks leave for other opportunities elsewhere.

So, where would the 49ers turn to?

If it's free agency, given the salary cap situation, the Niners would have to find some veteran bargains on the tail end of their respective careers like Jarrad Davis of the New York Giants, the Washington Commanders' David Mayo or even an old friend, Kwon Alexander, of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Or, possibly, San Francisco allocates more draft assets, perhaps hoping that another day-three pick winds up having a Greenlaw-like trajectory. Someone like Missouri's Ty'Ron Hopper, who has excellent coverage abilities, would make a lot of sense.

That said, the best outcome is Greenlaw recovering both quickly and fully.

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