49ers' Dee Winters: Competing for starting role in camp
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Winters drew praise from a star teammate at the start of training camp as the linebacker prepares to compete for a starting role in 2025, Vic Tafur of The Athletic reports.
All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner was vocal about Winter's offseason growth when speaking to reporters at the start of camp, stating that the 24-year-old appeared "ready to take that next step." Winters backed up that vote of confidence with an interception during team drills earlier this week. The 49ers spent a third-round pick on LB Nick Martin in an attempt to replace the void left by Dre Greenlaw's departure this past offseason, but the Oklahoma State product is currently nursing a thumb injury. Winters should get ample opportunity this preseason to prove that he is worthy of claiming the vacant role alongside Warner come Week 1.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Starts 10 games in second season
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Winters finished the 2024 season with 44 tackles (26 solo) and four pass breakups across 15 games.
Taken in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Winters didn't make a single start as a rookie but played an elevated role on defense in 2024, starting 10 of the 15 games in which he appeared. Winters essentially played an every-down role over the final two weeks, giving the coaching staff some perspective on his ability to fill that spot over the course of a full season should the 49ers be unable to re-sign Dre Greenlaw in free agency.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Nursing chest injury
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Winters (chest) is considered to be day-to-day with a chest injury heading into Week 17, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.
Winters appears to have picked up a chest injury in the team's loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, recording eight total tackles (six solo) and a pass defensed while playing 49 defensive snaps and 14 snaps on special teams in the contest. The linebacker's status at practice will be worth keeping an eye on ahead of Monday night's matchup with the Lions in Week 17.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Dealing with neck injury
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Winters is day-to-day due to a neck issue, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Winters appears to have hurt his neck in some manner during Thursday's Week 15 loss to the Rams. He logged six defensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps in the loss, finishing with one tackle. Winters' nine percent defensive snap share was his lowest of the campaign, though it's not clear if that was due to the neck issue or more related to Dre Greenlaw (Achilles/knee) making his season debut. Winters had originally been deemed questionable to return early in the first quarter Thursday but re-entered the contest before the period ended.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Full participant in practice
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Winters (concussion) was a full participant in San Francisco's practice Wednesday, Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports.
Winters suffered a concussion during the team's Week 8 win over the Cowboys but has now cleared the league's concussion protocol. The 24-year-old should be good to go for Sunday's matchup versus the Buccaneers where he can contribute on both defense and special teams.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Done for night
Rotowire
Winters (concussion) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday night's contest with the Cowboys, Lindsey Pallares of the 49ers' official site reports.
Winters suffered a concussion in the third quarter against Dallas, ultimately bringing his night to a premature close. The linebacker's impact is most prevalent on special teams, so his absence doesn't carry a substantial change on defense.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Aggravates injury
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Winters (ankle) has exited Sunday's game against the Rams, Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Winters has been dealing with an ankle issue since training camp, which is the likely cause of his exit Sunday. His exit will be a blow to the 49ers' depth at linebacker while he is unable to compete.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Not ready for return
Rotowire
Winters (ankle) is inactive Sunday against the Vikings.
Winters also missed the team's Week 1 win over the Jets as he continues to work on his recovery from an ankle injury suffered in the team's preseason finale. The second-year pro will now focus his efforts to return in Week 3 against the Rams.
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49ers' Dee Winters: Lands in San Fran
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The 49ers selected Winters in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, 216th overall.
Winters is undersized at 5-foot-11, 230 pounds, but he made his mark as a blitzer tallying 7.5 sacks his senior year with TCU. The 22-year-old also led the team in tackles in 2021, although given his lack of game-changing speed he's probably more of a special teams asset at the NFL level.
