Report: 49ers will activate the heart and soul of the defense

The San Francisco 49ers are set to receive quite a morale boost. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that linebacker Dre Greenlaw will be activated before tonight’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

While it’s unlikely that Greenlaw plays every snap, seeing No. 57 and even introducing him during pre-game warmups should give Levi’s Stadium a jolt and players goosebumps seeing Dre run through the tunnel.

Fred Warner fed off Greenlaw’s energy. He hasn’t had that this season. If anything, Warner has done more than what is required from him, and that’s led to either missed tackles or him running himself out of plays. That won’t be an issue with Greenlaw on the field.

It’ll be interesting to see how the linebacker rotation plays out. The last time against the Rams, Dee Winters took snaps away from De’Vondre Campbell as the game unfolded. After the game, Campbell said, “It was kind of sprung on me,” as if he were shocked to be taken off the field.

Campbell’s play improved, but he’s trended in the wrong direction in recent weeks, which led to Winters taking over the nickel role in the second half last week against the Chicago Bears.

Somebody will lose snaps, but it shouldn’t be Winters. Not after the game he just played. Plus, he gives the Niners athleticism to cover Rams running back Kyren Williams out of the backfield and tight ends underneath.

The 49ers have options at the position. In a must-win game, it makes the most sense to play with the athletes who play your brand of football. Greenlaw is the epitome of that, but Winters isn’t far behind.