49ers’ LB Malcolm Smith’s unfortunate streak continues
MINNEAPOLIS - Malcolm Smith’s consecutive games-not-played streak remains intact.
As expected, the 49ers inside linebacker won’t play in today’s season opener against the Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium due to a hamstring injury that limited him in the preseason. Smith hasn’t played for the 49ers since signing a lucrative five-year contract in March 2017: He missed last season with a torn pectoral and missed the start of training camp with a leg injury before he injured his hamstring in the preseason opener.
With Smith out, and with Rueben Foster serving a season-opening, two-game suspension, the 49ers will start rookie third-round pick Fred Warner and Brock Coyle, who started the final 10 games of 2017.