The San Francisco 49ers are getting a lot of production from a few young defensive linemen, and Kyle Shanahan believes there's more to come from both Romello Height and Keion White.
Height, a rookie, has started to make his presence felt, while White continues to build on what the 49ers saw when they acquired him from the New England Patriots last season. Shanahan pointed to Height's relentless motor as a major reason for his early success.
"We saw it the first day of training camp; he goes at a different speed, and he does not slow down," Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco.
The head coach recalled times when Height had to be carried off the field during training camp because of full-body cramps. He believes that kind of effort, combined with Height's talent, makes his development a matter of time. Height has also earned more playing time and improved each week, according to Shanahan. His recent performance was his best yet, even while playing with a club on his right hand.
White's development has taken a different path. The 49ers acquired him at last season's trade deadline, expecting a full offseason in their defensive system to help him take another step forward. Unfortunately, White was shot in the leg during the offseason, disrupting that plan and delaying his preparation for the 2026 season.
Shanahan praised White for the work he put into his recovery and his determination to get back on the field. Despite the difficult offseason, White has made an impression. Shanahan said he believes the defensive lineman is already ahead of where he was last season and expects him to keep improving.
"I think right now he is definitely ahead of where he was last year," Shanahan said. "And I think over the course of these next 11 games, he'll be farther than where he is now."
With both players making progress, the 49ers are getting valuable contributions from their defensive line beyond their established veterans. Height is beginning to show what he can do as a rookie, while White is becoming more comfortable in San Francisco's system. If Shanahan's expectations hold up, both players could become even bigger factors as the season continues.
Watch the full interview with Shanahan below:
More info on: Romello Height, Keion White
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