49ers’ injury picture improves as Dre Greenlaw, De’Zhaun Stribling and Osa Odighizuwa return to practice

The San Francisco 49ers took a small step in the right direction on Thursday at training camp, with linebacker Dre Greenlaw, cornerback De’Zhaun Stribling and defensive end Osa Odighizuwa back at practice after being limited earlier in the week. The movement matters in a camp setting where reps are scarce and every return can shift the pecking order for starting and backup roles.

The day’s context started on Wednesday, when the 49ers’ practice ended with 20 players on the active roster out of action due to a variety of ailments. While training camp always includes bumps and cranks, the size of that group creates real competition for next-in-line roles because coaches still need to evaluate depth across the full roster.

Greenlaw’s return is notable because he is a centerpiece of the 49ers’ defense, particularly in the middle of the field where communication and assignment soundness often decide coverage leverage. Even when camp participation is partial, seeing a veteran back at practice is typically a report that his status is trending in the correct direction rather than the cautious, day-to-day side of a setback.

Stribling’s availability is also meaningful from a roster and scheme standpoint. As a defensive back, he provides an option for a secondary group that has to handle a constant turnover of matchups, down-and-distance work, and coverage looks. When a player who had missed reps returns, it can affect how defensive coordinators organize the back end and how they evaluate younger players pushing to earn consistent involvement.

Odighizuwa’s return adds another layer, because edge and interior pressure work depends on timing among the front, the linebackers, and the secondary. Defensive line reps are especially valuable in camp because the team wants to see who can win one-on-one situations while maintaining discipline against run and pass protections.

Still, the Thursday improvement should be treated as progress, not a guarantee. The report focused on practice participation, not full clearance, and camp injuries can change quickly week to week depending on soreness, contact limitations, and how the player responds during consecutive sessions.

What to watch next is whether Greenlaw, Stribling and Odighizuwa can maintain their presence through the remainder of the week. If more of the 20 players who were out on Wednesday return to the field, it could ease the pressure on starters and stabilize the evaluation pipeline for both defensive starters and the key reserve units.