49ers' Randy Gregory ready to help pass rush wreak even more havoc
Few pass rushes in the NFL can claim to be in the same realm as that of the San Francisco 49ers through the first five weeks of the season. With 116 pressures to its name, the 49ers' defense has the highest-graded pass rush in the NFL by Pro Football Focus. And it could imminently be […]
Few pass rushes in the NFL can claim to be in the same realm as that of the San Francisco 49ers through the first five weeks of the season.
With 116 pressures to its name, the 49ers' defense has the highest-graded pass rush in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
And it could imminently be in a position to start generating even more disruption, with Randy Gregory in the mix to make his debut for the Niners this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns.
The 49ers acquired Gregory in a trade with the Denver Broncos last week. However, the edge rusher did not play against the team that drafted him in Week 5 as the Niners routed the Dallas Cowboys in primetime. San Francisco crushed Dallas 42-10.
But Gregory reported back to the 49ers on Monday and practiced on Wednesday, though Kyle Shanahan would not commit to him playing in Cleveland.
When Gregory does make his San Francisco bow, it will give a much-vaunted defense another extremely talented pass rusher who delivered underrated production during an injury-hindered first season with Denver last year.
In 2022, Gregory was 15th in pass rush win rate, per PFF, among edge rushers with at least 100 pass rush snaps.
Having played in a 3-4 defense with the Broncos, Gregory is relishing the opportunity to do damage with his hand in the ground in a three-point stance as part of the 49ers' 4-3 front.
"Over the course of probably the first month of the season, I felt I've gotten better," Gregory told reporters on Wednesday.
"Right now is, obviously, the different defense. Won't be standing as much, and I think that's going to help me out as far as my knee goes, staying low. I think one of the big things for me was pad level, and being in the three-point is probably going to help out with that.
"The biggest thing we’ve talked about the last couple of days is just getting my feet down and having the right stance and just being able to get up field. I think that’s what they do well, cause havoc and that’s what I plan on doing."
First 49ers injury report for Week 6, at Browns
More positive signs up front.
