San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw and general manager John Lynch appear to have a friendly difference of opinion about when he will be able to return from the Achilles tear he suffered in Super Bowl 58.
Lynch said on Monday that Greenlaw, who suffered the freak injury while preparing to run onto the field following a punt in the second quarter, is hoping to return for Week 1 of the 2024 season.
However, Lynch is more realistic.
"The Achilles takes a while," Lynch said. "Dre will tell you he’s going to be back Week 1, and I don’t put anything past Dre, but we have to be smart. Maybe a PUP situation."
Placing Greenlaw on the PUP [Physically Unable to Perform] list would seem the likeliest outcome given his injury only occurred last month.
But Greenlaw appears determined to prove Lynch wrong, posting an image on an Instagram story of him rehabbing his injury.
Lynch, of course, will hope that Greenlaw is correct and he is able to return for the start of the 2024 campaign.
But the 49ers at least have a veteran to deputize in the linebacker spot next to Fred Warner if that is not the case, San Francisco having signed 2021 All-Pro De'Vondre Campbell to a one-year deal.
“I think De’Vondre gives us the opportunity. A guy who plays the way we play, a guy who has got a ton of experience, that can fill in for Dre if he’s not there," Lynch explained.
Greenlaw's injury was key to the 49ers losing the Super Bowl and the 49ers made a key move to ensure they are better prepared for his potential absence to start the year. For Greenlaw, the challenge is to prove that veteran depth addition to be a luxury by surpassing his general manager's expectations.
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