Why Dre Greenlaw is returning for the 49ers in Week 15

Somewhat in the shuffle of a chaotic Super Bowl 58 matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers last February was a poor stroke of luck for star linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

The standout defender tore his Achilles while running onto the field during the game’s early portions, which broke Fred Warner’s heart. It’s one of the more tragic and weird injuries we’ve ever seen in the NFL, and it set back Greenlaw, who was an important building block for San Francisco. The linebacker has been slowly rehabbing and working his way back into action with hopes of returning for a 49ers team on the NFC playoff bubble.

On Thursday night, Greenlaw will finally see all of his recent hard work pay off. According to Ian Rapoport, the 49ers are officially activating the linebacker for action, and for the first time in approximately 10 months, he will play some measure of snaps against the rival Los Angeles Rams:

Help on the way: The #49ers plan to activate standout LB Dre Greenlaw in advance of tonight’s game against the #Rams, sources say.

Greenlaw tore his Achilles in the Super Bowl and has been working his way back. He’ll ease his way back in tonight. pic.twitter.com/zhf47yOpub

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2024

Greenlaw’s return, even if in a likely limited capacity at the start, comes at a perfect time for the 49ers. They are currently the No. 11 seed in the NFC and are in serious danger of missing the postseason just a year after winning the conference. Unfortunately, the 49ers also do not control their own destiny.

Greenlaw might be the boost — from a play and morale standpoint — that springboards a scorching-hot end-season run for one of the NFL’s marquee organizations.