49ers Blog and Q&A: Rookie OLB Johnson out after minor procedure

49ers Blog and Q&A

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June 5, 2012

Rookie OLB Johnson out after minor procedure

The 49ers doubled up on only one position, outside linebacker, during the recent draft because they had so few outside linebackers on the 53-man roster last season. Now both of those draft picks are out with - presumably - knee injuries.

Jim Harbaugh said seventh-round pick Cam Johnson had a "clean-out" procedure that is not expected to keep him out of training camp. Harbaugh would not discuss the specific injury, but Johnson's most recent coach, UVA's Mike London, said last month that Johnson pushed through a knee injury - including what London termed a "bone-on-bone situation" - as a senior last year.

Johnson on Sunday tweeted, "Praying for patience."

Harbaugh did say that Johnson was dealing with problems in the recent OTA practices and that the thought process was to address it now so that Johnson will be pain free when training camp begins in late July. "I think it was hindering him early in OTAs and minicamp," Harbaugh said.

The 49ers' other rookie outside linebacker, Darius Fleming, tore his ACL during a rookie minicamp last month. Though he hasn't been placed on injured reserve, Fleming is a long shot to play this year.

The only three outside linebackers on the roster last year were Ahmad Brooks, Parys Haralson and Aldon Smith. Smith and Brooks have been playing with the first-team defense while Haralson and Eric Bakhtiari, who played for Harbaugh at San Diego, were with the second team. The 49ers also signed undrafted free agent Kourtnei Brown, who played defensive end at Clemson.

Johnson's situation is reminiscent of last year when then draft pick Colin Kaepernick opted to have a minor procedure during the lockout so that he'd be healthy for training camp.

-- Matt Barrows

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