49ers’ Dre Greenlaw to have surgery for injury apparently from his pick-six

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).

Injuries waylaid too many 49ers in recent years. Losing three starters after just one game is not a great sign of a reversal of fortunes. But they’re not ignoring the elephant in the training room.

“It’s been talked about. It’s something that you have to address,” quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo said.

“Last year, maybe it was a little more, to the extent we had so many guys out at once, especially after Week 2,” tight end Goerge Kittle said. “So guys are like, ‘We’re not going to go down that road again.’ Guys are very adamant on their prehab, body maintenance.”

Greenlaw did not participate nor attended practices that have been held this week at The Greenbrier Resort here. News of Greenlaw’s upcoming procedure was first reported by The Athletic’s Matt Barrows.

Greenlaw played every game as a 2019 rookie and eventually replaced Kwon Alexander as a starter, highlighted by his goal-line stop to preserve a Week 17 win at Seattle to clinch the NFC West and No. 1 seed. Last year, quadriceps and calf injuries kept Greenlaw out three games.

Al-Shaair’s season-opening debut provides encouragement he can fill in for Greenlaw, as he’s had to do in recent seasons.

“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.”