The San Francisco 49ers are already beginning to make a couple of roster moves ahead of the 53-man roster deadline this Saturday. On Tuesday, San Francisco is releasing veteran linebacker Malcolm Smith per Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.
In a corresponding move, the team also signed wide receiver Nick Williams. He has spent time with Kyle Shanahan before and is comfortable in his offense.
As for Smith, the outside linebacker signed with the 49ers ahead of the 2018 regular season. In his only season with San Francisco, Smith started in five games and finished with 35 tackles and three tackles for loss.
Any team who is need of a veteran linebacker may show some interest for Smith as he enters free agency. Before playing with the 49ers, Smith is known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks from 2011-2014.
During his four seasons with the Seahawks, Smith became a hero when he had two interceptions, 13 tackles, and a defensive touchdown in Seattle's playoff run in 2013. That season, the Seahawks went on to defeat the Peyton Manning-led Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl.
After Smith left the Seahawks, the athletic linebacker joined the Oakland Raiders. With the Raiders, Smith started in 30 games in two seasons and combined for 226 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and two interceptions.
The 49ers aren't exactly deep at any of their linebacker spots so the release of Smith comes as a bit of a surprise. With other teams releasing players, San Francisco could be in the market for an outside linebacker to replace Smith.
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