BB.Unbelievable Twist: 49ers Reportedly Targeting a Defensive ‘BEAST’ with 163 Tackles from the Houston Texans to Replace Injured Fred Warner — Fans Can’t Believe Who It Is.
The San Francisco 49ers are reeling from yet another devastating blow to their defense, with star linebacker Fred Warner suffering a gruesome leg injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, likely sidelining him for the remainder of the season. This comes on the heels of losing defensive end Nick Bosa to an ACL tear earlier in the year, leaving the 49ers’ once-formidable defense in tatters. With their season hanging in the balance, the 49ers are now reportedly targeting a familiar face to fill the gaping void left by Warner: Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, a “beast” who racked up an astounding 163 tackles in 2023.
Al-Shaair, who played for the 49ers from 2019 to 2022, was an unsung hero during his tenure, thriving in the shadow of Warner and Dre Greenlaw. While with San Francisco, he developed into a quality linebacker under the guidance of then-defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and head coach Robert Saleh. After leaving the 49ers, Al-Shaair proved he could be a leading man on defense, erupting for 163 tackles with the Tennessee Titans in 2023. In 2024, he continued his stellar play with the Houston Texans, where he recorded 70 tackles, two sacks, and seven tackles for a loss in just 11 games under Ryans, now Houston’s head coach.
DiscoveThis season, Al-Shaair has already notched 32 tackles and a forced fumble in five games, showcasing his physicality with bone-rattling hits, including a fined hit on Titans quarterback Cam Ward and a similar one on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence last year. His familiarity with the 49ers’ defensive system, having played under Saleh, makes him an ideal candidate to step in and stabilize the unit.
The Texans, sitting at 2-3 and third in the AFC South, might be open to trading Al-Shaair for a draft pick as they look to retool their roster for a playoff push. For the 49ers, the cost must be reasonable, but the need is undeniable. The team cannot afford to dwell on their injury woes; with Warner and Bosa out, they must act swiftly to salvage their season. Al-Shaair’s return could provide the spark and leadership needed to keep San Francisco’s playoff hopes alive.
There was hope after the 2023 season that the 49ers could reunite with Al-Shaair following Dre Greenlaw’s Super Bowl injury, but the move never materialized. Now, with Warner’s injury compounding their defensive crisis, the 49ers have little choice but to pursue the hard-hitting linebacker. Al-Shaair’s proven track record and familiarity with the system make him the perfect fit to step into Warner’s massive shoes and help the 49ers stay competitive in a cutthroat NFC.
