The Cleveland Browns will have veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith in for a workout this week, according to a source. The former Super Bowl MVP was with the Cowboys late last season but played in just four combined games with the Cowboys and Jaguars and registered five combined tackles and a forced fumble. Cleveland is likely covering their bases with rising young linebacker Mack Wilson set to miss significant time with a knee injury that he suffered in practice this week. Smith can be ignored in IDP formats if he ends up landing with the Browns.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Malcolm Smith suffered a torn pectoral at practice Saturday and will miss the rest of the 2017 season, which will open up playing time for rookie linebacker Reuben Foster. Smith was signed as a free agent in March to a five-year, $26.2 million deal, and Foster was drafted with the 31st overall pick. Foster has been playing weakside linebacker with NaVorro Bowman at middle linebacker, although Ray-Ray Armstrong saw repetitions with the first-team defense over Foster when Smith went down. Foster didn't practice much in the offseason after having surgery to fix a partially torn rotator cuff, but he received clearance to practice last week. Foster has big time-long-term upside in San Fran's defense and he'll see increased playing time in his rookie season, but splitting time with Armstrong will limit his value as an IDP sleeper. Overall, the 49ers defense is one to leave on the waiver wire in standard 12-team leagues.
Malcolm Smith
• OLB
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Browns
