Malcolm Smith joined the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason following two solid seasons with the Oakland Raiders. The linebacker initially joined the Raiders following four seasons with the Seattle Seahawks which included a Super Bowl win and a Super Bowl MVP award at Super Bowl XLVIII.
The Niners signed Smith during the offseason to help bolster their defense as they continue their rebuild. Unfortunately, they will be without Smith during the first year of his four-year, $26.5 million deal. He suffered a torn pectoral during practice on Saturday.
Following comes from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Rough blow: #49ers veteran LB Malcolm Smith is out for the season with a torn pec, sources say. The MRI revealed the news.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2017
Malcolm Smith was one of the #49ers top FA signings — 5 years, $26.5M. Now out for the season. Brutal. 1st rounder Reuben Foster steps in.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2017
Smith, 28, recorded 103 combined tackles for the Raiders last year, his second straight season with triple-digit combined tackles. For now, the 49ers will have to look towards a rookie to be an immediate impact for their defense. Reuben Foster is extremely talented but can he be the linebacker leader San Fran needs?
