49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters Tuesday following the team’s second practice of OTAs. A pair of linebackers, Azeez Al-Shaair and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, were both absent from the session because of some early injury issues according to the head coach.
Al-Shaair, who broke out last season while filling in for the injured Dre Greenlaw, had knee and shoulder surgery at the end of last season. He dealt with those injuries which forced him to miss four games during the year.
In 13 games Al-Shaair still managed to stuff the stat sheet with 102 tackles, 2.0 sacks, five pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He’ll be in the mix to start at the Will linebacker spot again this year.
Flannigan-Fowles is less likely to be in the hunt for regular time on defense, but the converted safety is a key special teams contributor for San Francisco. He’s dealing with knee tendonitis that the 49ers are trying to manage early in the offseason program.
Shanahan said the team is hoping both linebackers are ready to go by training camp.
