The San Francisco 49ers released linebacker Ahmad Brooks on Friday, opting to move on from the veteran with the high salary cap hit in favor of the younger player. That player will be Eli Harold, who took the first-team reps in practice leading up to the second preseason game.
Harold also played with the starters during that game, and has looked good at the SAM linebacker position. It is very similar to the same outside linebacker spot in a 3-4 defense, so there’s no surprise that Brooks was favored to get the spot and there’s no surprise that Harold will end up there too.