The 49ers have reached a three-year deal with inside linebacker Brock Coyle , who played well down the stretch in 2017 in a fill-in role after the team released NaVorro Bowman.
In 2018, the 49ers could turn to Coyle to again step into a starting role. Inside linebacker Reuben Foster has been arrested twice in the offseason and could receive an NFL suspension this season. Last year, Coyle, a core special-teams player, was pressed into service after Bowman’s release was preceded by a season-ending injury to starter Malcolm Smith in training camp.