There was a chance that San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw would start practicing last week. That didn't happen, which didn't necessarily shock anyone. That timeline was always a best-case scenario. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said a return this week is more likely.
"He didn't quite get to where we want," Shanahan said of his linebacker. "Scared of just reinjuring it, rushing back a little too early, so we're going to have to put it off another week."
Greenlaw had core muscle surgery after Week 1 and was placed on injured reserve. However, the setback was never considered season-ending, and the 49ers were always counting on Greenlaw's return.
Star linebacker Fred Warner joined KNBR this week and shared that he's been impressed with Greenlaw's progress and drive to get back onto the football field with his teammates.
"Dre's looking really good," Warner said on KNBR's Murph & Mac show. "Obviously, I don't know when [he'll return]. The trainers and all those people are handling that kind of stuff. He says he feels great. He looks great. He's battled his tail off to try to get back. I mean, he misses it so much. He talks about how hard it is to watch us on Sunday because all he wants to do is be out there with his boys and help contribute."
Azeez Al-Shaair has been playing in place of the injured Greenlaw. He has recorded 52 tackles, three tackles for a loss, three passes defensed, and has a fumble recovery through his seven games this season.
Al-Shaair earned the second-highest Pro Football Focus grade (83.4) of his career during Week 7's loss to the Indianapolis Colts. However, he followed that up with his second-lowest grade of the season (53.2) against the Arizona Cardinals.
"But, like I said, [Greenlaw will] come back in due time, and I think Azeez has done an amazing job stepping in and having such a big role on this defense this year," Warner added. "He continues to get better every week, and I'm excited to continue to see his progress too."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Warner below.