The 49ers have their insurance policy for the recovery of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
De’Vondre Campbell, an All-Pro as recently as 2021 for the Green Bay Packers, has agreed to terms with the 49ers on a one-year contract.
Campbell, 30, was released Wednesday by the Packers before a roster bonus of $2.97 million came due. He signed a five-year extension with Green Bay in 2021 worth a maximum of $50 million but missed 10 games due to injury over the past two seasons.
The deal with the 49ers was confirmed by a source familiar with the negotiations and was first reported by NFL Media.
The 49ers had previously reportedly agreed to terms with free agent Eric Kendricks of the Los Angeles Chargers, but Kendricks backed out of the deal and signed with the Dallas Cowboys instead.
Greenlaw, who sustained a torn left Achilles while running onto the field in the 49ers’ 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, had surgery and there is no timetable for his return. Given the seriousness of the injury and the normal recovery time, Greenlaw’s status for the early portion of the season in particular is in doubt and getting him up to full speed could be a year-long project.
An eight-year veteran out of Minnesota drafted in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) has played in 115 games with 110 starts. After missing three games with an ankle injury last season, Campbell took to social media to express frustration about playing hurt.
Coming to the 49ers provides an opportunity for Campbell to get his career back on track after a disappointing season that included a social media blast against the Packers.
“I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when (stuff) goes wrong they always use it against you,” Campbell posted on Twitter/X last Dec. 23.
Oren Burks, who started when Greenlaw dealt with injury issues during the season, remains an unrestricted free agent. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, a linebacker and special teams player, has re-signed with the 49ers, according to the Associated Press.
Others who reportedly will return include guard/center Jon Feliciano (Fox Sports), while wide receiver Chris Conley is also working toward a deal (NBC Sports Bay Area).
The 49ers also reportedly agreed to terms with cornerback Chase Lucas, a two-year veteran who played exclusively on special teams for Detroit last season.