New 49ers linebacker shows tremendous grit after suffering injury in workout
The San Francisco 49ers lost two key contributors in their linebacker room this offseason, with Dre Greenlaw landing with the Denver Broncos and De'Vondre Campbell remaining unsigned on the free-agent market months into the new league year.
Knowing that, San Francisco added two veteran linebackers, Luke Gifford and Chazz Surratt, in free agency, but they also used their third-round pick on Oklahoma State's Nick Martin.
Martin, 22, entered the team's offseason program with a legitimate shot to contend for a starting job alongside Fred Warner, and those in attendance have said that he looks solid in practices open to the media.
However, it was revealed on Thursday that Martin suffered a broken thumb in an offseason workout a few weeks ago. Since then, Martin has shown some impressive grit, as he hasn't missed a practice or workout. The San Francisco Chronicle's Noah Furtado also reported that he won't need surgery and is expected to be fully healthy for the start of training camp next month.
Martin was a three-star recruit out of Pleasant Grove High School in Texarkana, Texas, before he joined the Oklahoma State program for the 2021 season. In his four years with the Cowboys, he appeared in 35 games and recorded 203 tackles (24 for a loss), seven sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumbles recovered. He also earned first-team All-Big 12 honors once (2023).
Earlier this offseason, 49ers director of player personnel Tariq Ahmed talked up Martin's communication skills and stated that he could wear the green dot if four-time All-Pro Fred Warner, who has been exceptionally durable in his career, was forced to miss time due to injury.
At this point, 2023 sixth-round pick Dee Winters is slated as the other starting linebacker next to Warner, but if Martin is fully healthy and performs well in camp, that job very well could be his in the season opener.
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