49ers bring in All-Pro LB De’Vondre Campbell as Greenlaw insurance

The 49ers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with De'Vondre Campbell after Greenlaw injury and Kendricks backing out of deal to sign with Cowboys.

The 49ers have their insurance policy for the recovery of linebacker Dre Greenlaw.

De’Vondre Campbell, an All-Pro as recently as 2021 for the Green Bay Packers, has agreed to terms with the 49ers on a one-year contract.

Campbell, 30, was released Wednesday by the Packers before a roster bonus of $2.97 million came due. He signed a five-year extension with Green Bay in 2021 worth a maximum of $50 million but missed 10 games due to injury over the past two seasons.

The deal with the 49ers was confirmed by a source familiar with the negotiations and was first reported by NFL Media.

The 49ers had previously reportedly agreed to terms with free agent Eric Kendricks of the Los Angeles Chargers, but Kendricks backed out of the deal and signed with the Dallas Cowboys instead.

Greenlaw, who sustained a torn left Achilles while running onto the field in the 49ers’ 25-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV, had surgery and there is no timetable for his return. Given the seriousness of the injury and the normal recovery time, Greenlaw’s status for the early portion of the season in particular is in doubt and getting him up to full speed could be a year-long project.

An eight-year veteran out of Minnesota by the Atlanta Falcons, Campbell (6-foot-3, 232 pounds) has played in 115 games with 110 starts. After missing three games with an ankle injury last season, Campbell took to social media to express frustration about playing hurt.

Coming to the 49ers provides an opportunity for Campbell to get his career back on track after a disappointing season that included a social media blast against the Packers.

“I’m not playing through injuries anymore cause when (stuff) goes wrong they always use it against you,” Campbell posted on Twitter/X last Dec. 23.

Oren Burks, who started when Greenlaw dealt with injury issues during the season, remains an unrestricted free agent. Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, a linebacker and special teams player, has re-signed with the 49ers, according to the Associated Press.

Others who reportedly will return include guard/center Jon Feliciano (Fox Sports), while wide receiver Chris Conley is also working toward a deal (NBC Sports Bay Area).

A look at how the 49ers’ offseason has played out in 2024:

49ERS’ OFFSEASON SCORECARD

Free agents signed

DT Jordan Elliott (Cleveland): (Reported as 2 years, $10 million)

DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Carolina): (Reported as 2 years, $18 million)

Free agents agreed to terms

LB De’Vondre Campbell (Green Bay): (One year, NFL Network)

DE Leonard Floyd: (Buffalo): Reported as 2 years, $20 million

Acquired by trade

DT Maliek Collins: (Houston in exchange for 7th round draft pick)

Free agents returning

DT Kevin Givens: (One year, announced by 49ers)

LB Demetrius Flanningan-Fowles (One year, Associated Press)

G Jon Feliciano (One year, Fox Sports)

QB Brandon Allen (One year, announced by 49ers)

OL Ben Bartch (One year, The Athletic)

WR Chris Conley (One year, working toward agreement, NBC Sports Bay Area)

Restricted free agents

WR Jauan Jennings (extended second-round tender at $4.9 million)

Unrestricted free agents

DE Chase Young

S Logan Ryan

DT Sebastian Joseph-Day

DE Randy Gregory

TE Ross Dwelley

LB Oren Burks

Reported contract restructures

LB Fred Warner (The Athletic)

TE George Kittle (ESPN)

DT Javon Hargrave (overthecap.com)

FB Kyle Juszczyk (ESPN)

Contract extensions

T Colton McKivitz (One year, announced by 49ers)

S George Odum (two years, announced by 49ers)

Free agent departures

DT Arik Armstead to Jacksonville:(Three years, $51 million, Bleacher Report)

QB Sam Darnold to Minnesota: (One year, $10 million, announced by Vikings)

DE Clelin Ferrell to Washington: (One year, $3.75 million, The Athletic)

DT Javon Kinlaw to N.Y. Jets: (One year, $7.25 million, ESPN)

TE Charlie Woerner to Atlanta: (Three years, $12 million, reported by agent)

WR-PR Ray-Ray McCloud to Atlanta (Two years, $6 million, NFL Network)

T Matt Pryor to Chicago: (One year, The Athletic)