WHITE SULFUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Another 49ers' starter is headed for surgery, this time for a most unusual injury in how it apparently occurred.
Dre Greenlaw, the 49ers' starting weak-side linebacker, will miss six to eight weeks for a procedure on his groin (or core muscle) that was injured during his interception return for a touchdown in Sunday's season opener, a source confirmed.
Greenlaw did not return to the 49ers' 41-33 win at Detroit following his 39-yard interception return. After being mobbed by celebratory teammates in the end zone and heading to the 49ers' sideline, he went into the locker room before halftime.
Greenlaw eventually should return to the 49ers' lineup, although that two-month recovery was also projected for running back Raheem Mostert, who announced Tuesday he'll actually undergo season-ending knee surgery. A torn anterior cruciate ligament Sunday ended the season of cornerback Jason Verrett, dubbed the "heart and soul" of the 49ers' secondary by defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans.
Look for Azeez Al-Shaair to replace Greenlaw, next to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, when the 49ers (1-0) play Sunday at the Philadelphia Eagles (1-0).
"Azeez did a really great job. He stood out," Ryans said of Azeez's seven-tackle, two-pass defenses at Detoit. "Everyone could see the effort, the tackling in space.
"The way he plays, that's the way a linebacker should play. He made a lot of plays for us. I was pumped up and excited for him, proud of the way he stepped up for us. Azeez is smart, versatile and can play multiple positions."
Greenlaw has not participated nor attended practices held this week at The Greenbrier Resort here. News of Greenlaw's upcoming procedure was first reported by The Athletic's Matt Barrows.
