One of the cruel realities of the NFL is that there are more talented players than roster spots. Each year, teams have to make difficult decisions when deciding who to keep and who to let go.
The San Francisco 49ers, one of the best teams in the league, are not immune from that stress.
A report by NBC Sports Bay Area reporter Jordan Elliot says linebacker Curtis Robinson is one player making it particularly difficult for head coach Kyle Shanahan.
After two preseason games Robinson, who signed with the 49ers in 2021, has 11 tackles (one for loss), one pass broken up, and one quarterback hit. Shanahan has taken notice of his development.
“Curtis just gets better each year,” he said following his team’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. “He’s been here for a while, helps out a lot on special teams, runs the show as the MIKE linebacker…I have some tough decisions here when it comes down to the end.”
The 49ers have one of the deeper linebacker groups in the NFL, headlined by three-time All-Pro Fred Warner. That depth has kept Robinson sidelined, limiting him to just six regular season games over the last two seasons. The young linebacker hasn’t allowed the lack of in-game reps to slow his development.
“I feel good,” Robinson said after his performance against the Saints. “I feel like stuff is slowing down, especially in the run game…I’m just trying to be more consistent.”
Other teams around the league have been paying attention as well. The Tennessee Titans offered Robinson a spot on their 53-man roster in December 2023, but Robinson chose to see what the future held with the 49ers.
He says that leaving San Francisco would have slowed his development. Now he is one of seven healthy linebackers (Dre Greenlaw is on injured reserve) competing for six spots.
Warner and De’Vondre Campbell are locked into two, with second-year player Dee Winters not far behind.
That leaves Robinson battling veteran Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, and youngsters Jalen Graham and Tatum Bethune.
“It's one thing to do it in practice and feel good about it. But, to do it in a game, that's what's really important,” Robinson said. “So, just trying to finish out strong next week, you know, stay healthy. And obviously, that's up to them, but I'm feeling good."
He’ll have his final chance to put together some solid tape when the 49ers finish the preseason against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 23.
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